The dental implant procedure starts when titanium cylinders are secured to the jawbone. The cylinders are used to support the new replacement teeth. Titanium has been found to be the best material for dental implants because it integrates naturally into the bone. This makes the dental implants structurally and functionally stable, which allows the patient to chew like normal. For more information on implants, contact our office.
Monthly Archives: April 2009
Dentures versus Dental Implants
Dentures or partials can be used to replace missing teeth, however there can be problems associated with them. Dentures or partials can be unstable, and often leave a patient with painful sores caused by rubbing against the soft tissues in the mouth. For some patients, dentures can cause speech difficulties. These devices also do not provide a solution to ‘atrophy’, which is a shrinking of the jawbone that can progress over the years due to missing teeth.
Missing Teeth and Dental Implants
Missing teeth cause the obvious problems of diminished appearance and self-esteem of a patient. However, missing teeth also can affect an individual’s general health, as well as the health of remaining teeth. When missing teeth are not replaced the surrounding teeth can also be lost. Additional cosmetic dental problems can be caused by tipping or crowding of the teeth adjacent to the missing teeth. A dental implant is a surrogate for the roots of missing teeth, acting as a permanent anchor for replacement teeth.
Eliminating the Smell of Garlic Breath
Very spicy foods, such as onions and garlic, and coffee may be detected on a person’s breath for up to 72 hours after digestion. A well-known solution for eliminating bad breath after garlic is to eat some fresh parsley. Also having a mint or drinking a cup of strong mint-based tea can help take care of the lingering smell of garlic. Another fast way to get rid of the smell of garlic on your breath is to chew a piece of sugarless gum.
Alleviating Morning Mouth
The key odor-controlling ingredient in your mouth is saliva. Saliva helps to cleanse the mouth as it washes away food particles and bacteria, the primary causes of bad breath. When you sleep the salivary glands slow down the production of saliva. This allows the bacteria to grow inside the mouth causing morning mouth. To alleviate “morning mouth,” brush your teeth and eat a morning meal. Because morning mouth also is associated with hunger or fasting, morning breath odor may reappear even if you’ve brushed your teeth. Another reason not to skip breakfast.
Contributing Factors to Bad Breath
There are many factors that can cause bad breath including dry mouth, tobacco, stress, dieting, snoring, hormonal changes and you’re age. Your bad breath could even be due to allergies, for instance, an odor that comes from the back of your tongue may indicate post-nasal drip.
Brushing and Flossing to Combat Bad Breath
To avoid bad breath be sure you are brushing properly. This includes brushing the tongue, cheeks, and the roof of the mouth, as well as the teeth, to remove bacteria and food particles. Flossing also is important. Flossing removes accumulated bacteria, plaque, and food that may be trapped in hard to reach places between teeth. For temporary relief from bad breath try a mouth wash or rinse.
What Causes Bad Breath
More than 90 million people have chronic halitosis or more commonly known as bad breath. The causes of bad breath are typically because of two things, bacteria from the decay of food particles or other debris in your mouth, and poor oral hygiene. When food particles are left in the mouth they can decay. The debris can produce a sulfur compound that causes the unpleasant odor. Most times the smell is caused by poor oral hygiene, but sometimes it also may be a sign of gum disease.