Causes of Bad Breath

As cosmetic and prosthodontic specialists, we at Elite Dental Arts in Midtown have provided lots of patients with assistance cleaning their removable oral appliances. Keeping dentures clean is good for your health as well as your breath, and advances in denture retention have allowed more people to get by without the odor-causing denture gel that led people to avoid prosthetic teeth in past decades. But there are other sources of bad breath that patients should know about, too.

Halitosis is caused by the odor of decay-causing bacteria. These bacteria not only live between the teeth and in the gum pockets, but also on the tongue and in the spaces between the gums and removable dentures. As they metabolize sugar, they secrete acid, imperiling natural and artificial oral structures alike. Bacteria on the tongue can be controlled with daily use of a tongue scraper, as well as by brushing the tongue and using mouthwash. Gums also require brushing before dentures are put in, and the undersides of dentures need to be brushed as well as the toothy parts.

Dry mouth puts patients at higher risk for oral infections, and therefore at higher risk for halitosis. Drinking plenty of water, as opposed to sugary, caffeinated, or alcoholic beverages can mitigate this risk. Garlic and onions can cause bad breath because the gases they carry are transmitted to the lungs, but they can also trigger acid reflux, which would leave the odor of stomach acid on the tongue. Chewing gum is a strategy for combatting dietary risks, as long as the gum is sugar-free.

Nick M. Mobilia, DDS
ELITE DENTAL ARTS
9 East 45th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10017

 

Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Wisdom teeth extractions are the removal of any teeth from the third sets of molars. There are four wisdom teeth and depending on the patient and doctor’s discretion, not all four may necessarily be removed.

When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it means the tooth is coming in at an angle and not straight through the gum line. This can cause pain, overcrowding, or the tooth may only emerge partially. Impacted wisdom teeth can also become traps for infections. Removal is a quick operation that can take as few as 45 minutes. During the removal, patients are either numbed or given general anesthetic for sedation.

Post surgery patients will be on a soft food diet for a few days while the gums heal and swelling goes down. Foods such as ice cream, yogurt, thin soup, mashed potatoes, and pudding are recommended.

To learn more about the wisdom teeth and extraction of them, along with other services we offer, visit our website at www.elitedentalarts.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Nick Mobilia at Elite Dental Arts in New York, NY, call 212-681-0939.

Nick M. Mobilia, DDS

Elite Dental Arts

9 East 45^th Street, 6^th Floor

New York, NY, 10017

Toothbrush Care and Storage

Studies have shown that people who share a bathroom are more likely to have contaminated toothbrushes that are loaded with bacteria. This is due to bacteria that builds up from sources such as the toilet, shower, and other toothbrushes. The storing of toothbrushes should be done carefully and in a spot where bacteria will have difficulty accessing. At Elite Dental Arts we recommend keeping your toothbrush away from the sink so water doesn’t splash when hands are being washed and contracting bacteria. Avoiding the toilet area for storage is also suggested for obvious bacterial reasons.

Some tips to keep toothbrushes safe that Dr. Nick Mobilia recommends are changing your toothbrush every 3-4 months, avoiding sharing, and rinsing the excess water after brushing. Something that people don't realize is that when toothbrushes touch they spread bacteria and the brushes can become contaminated and unsafe to use.

To learn more about the importance of properly storing your toothbrush along with other services we offer, visit our website at www.elitedentalarts.com for more information.

Nick M. Mobilia, DDS
ELITE DENTAL ARTS
9 East 45th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10017