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Archive for September 2017

Comments Off on What Causes Bad Breath Even After Brushing?
bad breath after brushing

What Causes Bad Breath Even After Brushing?

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With an estimated 80 million people experiencing bad breath on a regular basis, there’s a lot of myths that abound about why your mouth becomes so odorous. Understanding the true causes of recurring bad breath, especially a smell that lingers after brushing, is the only way to tackle the problem truly. Get your breath smelling better without expensive rinses and mints by finding the cause.

Sinus Infections

A low grade and chronic sinus infection are one of the most surprising and common causes of serious bad breath. Even a little infection lingering in the cavernous spaces behind your nose, eyes, and mouth can result in a very offensive odor. You may have little to no outward symptoms, or confuse your sniffles and stuffiness for allergies, allowing the infection to worsen over time. A dentist can help you determine if this is the reason your bad breath is unabated by brushing.

Lack of Flossing

You brush twice a day, but do you remember to floss every day? It can be a little uncomfortable, but finding a method that is comfortable for you is necessary for fresh breath. Brushing leaves behind food particles that rot and feed bacteria, leading to stink producing colonies hidden between the teeth where the brush can’t touch them. Choose a flossing method you can live with if you want to enjoy fresh breath throughout the day.

Halitosis

For some people, bad breath is a hereditary condition that requires regular treatment from their dentist. The term halitosis refers to bad breath in general, but as a diagnosis, it is considered its own condition. Some people experience chronic halitosis because they make an insufficient amount of saliva. They may not feel like their mouth is dry, but a lack of saliva allows bacteria levels to rise. This results in the bad breath that doesn’t respond to over the counter treatments and threatens the health of your teeth and gums as well.

Coffee Drinking

Too many people overlook their coffee and smoking habits when wondering why they’re experiencing chronic bad breath. Even if you routine brush or rinse your mouth after every espresso or cigarette break, the long term effects of smoke inhalation and high acid content contribute to halitosis regardless. Breaking these habits, or at least switching them for healthier alternatives, will reward you with better breath all day long in addition to the rest of the health benefits.

Plaque Deposits

Skipping your routine cleaning visits at the dentist does more than just raise your risk of getting a cavity. Going too long between cleanings allows tartar to harden into plaque. Plaque is an ideal host for the bacteria that produce the sulfur compounds that make other people find your breath unpleasant. Routine cleanings remove the plaque, so your brushing efforts work to sweep out the bacteria gathering at the gum lines. As a result, you’ll also help avoid gingivitis and advanced gum disease. Resistant bad breath is one of the earliest signs of gum disease, so visit your dentist for a checkup any time you notice an odor returning as soon as you’re done brushing your teeth.

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Comments Off on What is the Normal Tooth Extraction Healing Time?
tooth extraction healing time

What is the Normal Tooth Extraction Healing Time?

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Having a tooth extracted is never exactly a joyful occasion, but if it ends a long period of pain or discomfort, it can be a welcome procedure. Since your dentist will use local or general anesthesia, so you don’t feel any pain during the extraction, it’s much more likely that you’ll face an issue during recovery instead. Understanding the timeline of healing after a tooth extraction will prepare you for the process and alert you when something isn’t going to plan.

Size and Complexity

First, understand that every mouth and tooth is different so that healing can go faster or slower depending on factors out of your control. A surgical extraction takes longer to heal than a simple one, and a large molar or wisdom tooth leaves a bigger wound than a small baby tooth. In general, extraction sites tend to close up within one to two weeks, and complete healing is usually achieved by the end of a month.

First Day

The first 24 hours after an extraction usually involves enough discomfort and swelling you’ll need to rest from your usual activities. For surgical extractions, your dentist may extend this rest period to 48 or 72 hours. You should develop a strong blood clot by the end of the first day and experience little to no more bleeding. If you still have heavy bleeding, you’ll need to talk to your dentist.

First Week

Any stitches or sutures used during the extraction will usually start loosening or dissolving by the end of the first week. Oral tissue heals rapidly, so if you’ve reached the middle of the first week and are still having intermittent bleeding or don’t see signs of the site closing up, discuss your concerns with your dentist. Prompt action at the first sign of sluggish healing can prevent a painful and difficult to treat infection and bone damage.

Second Week

While large openings may still be visible by the end of the second week, you should be on the road to recovery and have little to no dry socket risks at this point. The color of the gum tissue should be stabilizing, with very little to no red wound visible at this point. You may still experience some tenderness and swelling, especially if stitches remained in place through the second week. Continue to check the gum area daily in the mirror until you no longer see any signs of the extraction sites. A visual inspection helps you decide if a little soreness is normal or linked to a deeper problem.

Indention

Many dental patients worry the weeks after an extraction because an indention may remain in the gum tissue for quite some time. Unless you can see an opening into the gum tissue below, even a deep indention is normal because the tissue takes some time to fill in the area where the tooth and root once sat. Of course, it’s always a good idea to have your doctor do a quick inspection if you’re experiencing soreness.

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