Creative Smiles

It’s time for your Spring cleaning, especially for children who haven’t had their teeth cleaned since the beginning of the school year.

Dr. Camuccio recommends dental cleanings every six months for most patients.

Good oral hygiene is important, not only for the health of your teeth, but also for your general health. And don’t forget how bright and white that smile can improve your looks.

Poor oral hygiene can lead to a variety of medical problems, including gum disease, infection, bone loss, heart disease and strokes, among other maladies.

Each cleaning appointment includes an examination by Dr. Camuccio to screen for a variety of diseases, including oral cancer, which is highly curable when detected early.

Here are just a a few more of the benefits of your biannual cleaning and examination:

• BAD BREATH: Studies have found that about 85 perscent of people with persistent bad breath have a dental problem that is to blame.
• GUM DISEASE PREVENTION: Gum disease is an infection in the gum tissues and bone that keep your teeth in place, and it is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. If diagnosed early, it can be treated and reversed.
• CAVITIES: Cavities are small holes that eat away at tooth enamel, causing decay, pain and even tooth loss. Early detection by your hygienist can avert a host of expensive problems later.
• BRIGHTER SMILE: Your dental hygienist can remove most tobacco, coffee and tea stains. During your cleaning, your dental hygienist will also polish your teeth to a beautiful shine. Some patients go a step further with our teeth whitening programs, which are far more effective than over-the-counter treatments.

Dental insurance plans usually pay for all or most of the cost of dental cleanings and check-ups every six months. If you don’t have dental insurance, the importance of cleanings and your examination are even greater because you save money in the long run by avoiding costly dental procedures that can result from poor oral hygiene.

Whether you call it bad breath or halitosis, it’s an unpleasant condition that’s cause for embarrassment. Some people with bad breath aren’t even aware there’s a problem. If you’re concerned about bad breath, call Dr. Camuccio.  He can help identify the cause and, if it’s due to an oral condition, develop a treatment plan to help eliminate it.

What you eat affects the air you exhale. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, contribute to objectionable breath odor. Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs, where it is expelled.  Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will only mask the odor temporarily. Odors continue until the body eliminates the food. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating.

If you don’t brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Food that collects between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums can rot, leaving an unpleasant odor.

Bad breath can also be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor. Dry mouth may be caused by various medications, salivary gland problems or continuously breathing through the mouth. If you suffer from dry mouth, Dr. Camuccio may prescribe anartificial saliva, or suggest using sugarless candy and increasing your fluid intake.

Tobacco products cause bad breath. If you use tobacco, ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.

Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. If Dr. Camuccio determines that your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your family doctor or a specialist to determine the cause of bad breath.

Maintaining good oral health is essential to reducing bad breath. Schedule regular dental visits for a professional cleaning and checkup. If you think you have constant bad breath, keep a log of the foods you eat and make a list of medications you take. Some medications may play a role in creating mouth odors. Let Dr. Camuccio know if you’ve had any surgery or illness since your last appointment.

Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush your tongue, too. Once a day, use floss or an interdental cleaner to clean between teeth.

Mouthwashes are generally cosmetic and do not have a long-lasting effect on bad breath. If you must constantly use a breath freshener to hide unpleasant mouth odor, call Dr. Camuccio.  If you need extra help in controlling plaque, he may recommend using a special antimicrobial mouth rinse.  A fluoride mouth rinse, used along with brushing and flossing, can help prevent tooth decay.

Article courtesy American Dental Association