Dental News

What Causes Bad Breath?

Johnson Dental — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:07:19 +0000

Transitory Bad Breath is usually caused by food that you eat such as garlic or onions.

Chronic Bad Breath is the long lasting type that makes people wince.

Bad breath is caused by bacteria building up in the mouth. The crevices in your tongue harbor a lot of bacteria and if not brushed or scraped properly, can become the source of very bad mouth odor.

If you have gingivitis or periodontal disease, you will harbor a lot more bacteria than usual. Bacteria constantly reproduces in your mouth and keeping it at bay requires diligence, the right tools and regular dental visits. Some people are more at risk for bad breath than others. Certain medicines can dry out your mouth. Since saliva keeps bacteria under control, in a dry mouth, bacteria reproduces much more quickly.

Smoking and alcohol can give you bad breath. Ironically, many commercial mouth rinses contain large amounts of alcohol, which dries out your mouth and causes bad breath! Make sure you read the label and use mouth wash that contains no alcohol.

How can you fix bad breath?

Practice Regular dental hygiene Brush your teeth twice a day, preferably three times a day, and floss, too! And don’t forget to scrape that tongue. That’s where most of the bacteria that cause bad breath live.

Drink plenty of water Throw back at least eight glasses of water a day. You can’t make saliva if you are not well hydrated. Cut down on coffee, which not only gives you “coffee breath” but stains your teeth as well.

Change your diet Some foods are tougher for your body to break down than others. Beans, onions and garlic produce gases that cause bad breath. Eat more fresh fruits and veggies. Carrots and apples naturally help to clean out your teeth and your breath.

Change your mouthwash Select an alcohol free mouthwash and use it regularly.

Your Child’s Dentistry

Johnson Dental — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:35:39 +0000

Good dental hygiene habits should begin before your child’s first tooth comes in. Wiping your baby’s gums with a soft damp cloth after feedings helps to prevent the buildup of bacteria. When teeth appear, start using a soft children’s toothbrush twice a day.

Once your child is preschool-age, start using fluoride toothpaste. Don’t cover the brush with toothpaste; a pea-sized amount is just right. Young children tend to swallow most of the toothpaste, and swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can cause permanent stains on their teeth.

What about using fluoride tablets?

Fluoride helps make teeth strong by hardening the tooth enamel. Many cities are required to add fluoride to tap water. If you live in an area where the tap water doesn’t contain fluoride, your doctor may prescribe daily fluoride tablets when your child is about 6 months old. Fluoride is an important part of your child’s dental health, but don’t give him or her more than the directions call for. If you miss a dose, don’t give your child extra fluoride to make up. Just as with swallowed toothpaste, too much oral fluoride can cause stains on your child’s teeth.

What are cavities?

Cavities are holes that are formed when bacteria (germs) in your mouth use the sugar in food to make acid. This acid eats away at the teeth. Cavities are the most common disease in children. Good tooth care can keep cavities from happening in your child

Is my child at risk for cavities?

Your child might be at risk for cavities if he or she eats a lot of sugary foods (such as raisins, cookies and candy) and drinks a lot of sweet liquids (such as fruit juice and punch, soda and sweetened drinks). Your child also might be at risk if he or she has any of the following risk factors:

Was born early (prematurely) or weighed very little at birth (low birth weight)
Has ongoing special health care needs
Has white spots or brown areas on any teeth
Does not go to the dentist very often

How can I help stop cavities?

Everyone in your family should take good care of their teeth. Family members with lots of cavities can pass the cavity-causing bacteria to babies and children.

Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day and adults should floss once a day. Everyone should see the dentist regularly. Sometimes twice a year, often 3-4 times a year. Have your doctor or dentist show you the right way to brush your child’s teeth.

Does diet affect my child’s teeth?

Yes. Avoiding sweets, sticky foods and between-meal snacks is good advice. To avoid cavities, limit sweet snacks and sweet drinks between meals. Have meals and snacks at regular times. Teeth-friendly snacks include fresh fruits and vegetables, and cheese and crackers.

Baby bottles can create additional problems with your child’s dental health. When liquid from a bottle–like milk and juice–stays in contact with the teeth for a long time, the sugars cause tooth decay. This can create a condition called bottle mouth. Your baby’s teeth can develop cavities and become pitted or discolored. Never put a baby to bed with a bottle, unless it contains plain water. Don’t let your child walk around during the day with a bottle, and teach your child to use a drinking cup around his or her first birthday.

Is thumb-sucking bad for my child?

It’s normal for children to suck their thumbs, their fingers or a pacifier. Most children give up this habit on their own by age 4, with no harm done to their teeth. If your child still has a sucking habit after age 4, tell your dentist. Your dentist can watch carefully for any problems as the teeth develop. In most children there is no reason to worry about a sucking habit until around age 6, when the permanent front teeth come in.

When should I start taking my child to the dentist?

The American Dental Association recommends that parents take their child to a dentist around his or her first birthday. This gives the dentist a chance to look for early problems with your child’s teeth. Visiting the dentist from a young age will help your child become comfortable with his or her dentist. It also establishes the good habit of regular dental check-ups.

Can You Believe These Statistics?

Johnson Dental — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:54:53 +0000

“A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found 42 percent of kids aged 6 to 19 had had a cavity or filling in their permanent teeth when examined between 1999 and 2002…”Medline Plus -August 25, 2005

“Although dental caries (tooth decay) is largely preventable, it remains the most common chronic disease of children aged 5 to 17 years - 5 times more common than asthma (59% versus 11%).” CDC – 2005

“Poor children have nearly 12 times more restricted-activity days because of dental-related illness than children from higher-income families. Pain and suffering due to untreated tooth decay can lead to problems in eating, speaking, and attending to learning. CDC – 2005

“An estimated 75% of Americans reportedly have some form of periodontal disease.”The American Dental Hygienists’ Association - 4/2002

“Dental caries (tooth decay) is the single most chronic childhood disease - 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever.” Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General - 4/2002

“Over 108 million children and adults lack dental insurance, which is over 2.5 times the number who lack medical insurance.”Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General - 5/2001

Dental Fun Facts

Johnson Dental — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:49:19 +0000

Floss Facts

Floss was first commercially produced in 1882
It was originally made of silk
The latest material it is made of: Gore-Tex
Amount bought per person annually: 18 yards
Amount that should be bought annually: 122 yards
People who say they floss daily: 28% (some are fibbing, according to the sales data above)
In 1994, an inmate in West Virginia braided floss into a rope, scaled the wall and escaped.
83% of people say that their teeth are more important to their appearance than their eyes or hair.

Your smile–the first thing people see

Johnson Dental — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:04:25 +0000

Have you ever been introduced to someone at a social or business gathering and they smiled and were missing a tooth or had decay on their front teeth? How much of what they had to say did you hear after that moment? Probably not much.

Do you notice people looking at your teeth when you are talking? Have you looked in the mirror and evaluated how you REALLY feel about your own smile? Are you being honest or do you find yourself thinking that your teeth could be whiter/straighter/shaped differently?

Your smile truly is your calling card. Investing in even small improvements in your smile can result in a greater feeling of self confidence and even take years off your appearance. In addition, when your smile is at its best, you feel at your best and are able to be your best. You don’t have to worry about people seeing a crooked, yellow smile or missing teeth. You can be confident that they are seeing you and hearing what you have to say.

Great Ideas

Johnson Dental — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:54:13 +0000

One of our patients lost his splint on an airplane on an international flight. We actually received it one week later because it was in one of the cases that was printed with our address. So, our patient and his splint were reunited.

Most times, once a splint is lost, it is gone forever and then the patient has to invest in a replacement.

This week, a patient called with a good idea. She suggested that we ask our patients to include their splints on their homeowner’s insurance.
We thought that was a GREAT IDEA and wanted to pass it along to everyone!

In addition, please make sure you keep your splint away from your dogs. For some reason, dogs love to chew on and destroy splints. Many of our patients have come home to find Fido looking guilty and their splints in pieces.

To maintain their functionality, your splint should be checked every six months. If you notice a hole or if it feels worn out, give us a call! Protecting your investment is a GREAT IDEA!

Do you have a dentist?

Johnson Dental — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:05:43 +0000

Has it been 6 months since you moved?

Have you established a relationship with a dentist?

Our experience shows that it is best for patients to know a dentist and have an examination completed by choice, not because of pain. This helps patients to prevent dental emergencies and tooth loss. Often people move, time goes by and so does prevention. Call 303-422-8748 now to reserve your time.

We take great pride in:

Caring for one patient at a time

Customized treatment—what YOU want

One on one time with Dr. Johnson

Professional tooth whitening

Digital imaging

Intra oral imaging

Written treatment plan for every patient

Anxiety free care for patients with dental fears

TMJ treatment

Cosmetic treatment—big or small!

Full mouth rehabilitation

Some of our patient comforts:

Massage chairs

Refreshments

Scented hand towels

Music selection

Relaxing environment

Ted C. Johnson D.M.D.

303-422-8748

New Patients Welcome!

4855 Ward Road, Suite 700 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Pregnancy and Oral Health

Johnson Dental — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:50:51 +0000

Gum disease and gingivitis can often accompany pregnancy. Many times, extra measures must be taken to ensure oral health. It is especially important to maintain good oral health during pregnancy because gum disease can cause low birth weight babies and pre-term births. Sometimes, your hygienist may find it necessary to see you more often for hygiene appointments and exams, because bacteria repopulates itself every 30 days, making it difficult to keep under control with just brushing alone.

Women often get pregnancy gingivitis caused by plaque that has not been removed or could not be removed with home care. The plaque then irritates the gums and causes an infection signified by bloody gums and tenderness. Hormone levels can often cause gingivitis during pregnancy. It may be more difficult, but it is possible to control it with the proper home care and more frequent hygiene appointments.

Insurance Woes

Johnson Dental — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:58:48 +0000

Has your insurance carrier told you that a necessary dental procedure is not covered by your dental insurance? Don’t feel alone! Many of our patients feel just the same as you do. Dental insurance has not progressed with technology and as advancements are being made in preventative care, dental insurance is still focused on paying for only problem-focused treatment. Dental insurance can be considered a “coupon” or discount, at best. But don’t worry! We have options to help fit necessary dental treatment into your budget. We also have informations on direct reimbursement, health savings accounts and interest-free financing. Come by or give us a call 303-422-8748.

Drug Watch….

Johnson Dental — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 21:14:28 +0000

An article in the New York Times in the summer of 2006, outlined a concern regarding the drugs called “bisphosphonates” often used in treating osteoporosis and bone loss due to cancer treatment. Drugs such as Zometa, Aredia, Fosamax, Actonel, and Boniva have been linked to a condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw , causing parts of the jaw bone to die or have difficulty in healing after invasive dental procedures. Though these side effects are not common, if you have questions about a bisphosphonate that you are taking and whether it will affect your jaw bone, be certain to talk to your doctor. The FDA is aware of the issue and has required all bisphosphonates to carry a warning on their labels disclosing the link between bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the jaw.

If you have concerns regarding medications and your dental work, please contact your doctor or call us at 303-422-8748. We would be happy to help to answer your questions.