If you constantly have bad breath and think there’s nothing you can do about it, think again. These helpful tips can assist in keeping bad breath at bay.
Halitosis, or bad breath, can be seriously humiliating. You don’t have to live with it forever! Simply by brushing and flossing at least two times a day, particularly after you’ve eaten, can help. The tongue collects a lot of bacteria and gunk so be sure to brush it – you can even use a tongue scraper. If you rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after, that will do you wonders.
Another great tip would be to visit Max Dental @ Yaletown for your regular checkups. We can examine your mouth and give you the cleaning you need. If you have other dental problems that may be contributing to your bad breath, we can likely take care of it for you.
One thing you may not know that is a great way to keep bad breath at bay is to chew a piece of parsley after you’re done eating. The reason this works is because parsley has chlorophyll in it and this has been a proven way to freshen breath. You can also drop some tea tree oil or peppermint oil on your tongue, or you can put these oils on your toothbrush in conjunction with your toothpaste. It might also help to choose a toothpaste or mouthwash containing natural oils which can battle the bacteria causing your bad breath.
If you’re a smoker, this is undoubtedly a contributor to your bad breath. Smoking is bad for your health in many ways and you may want to consider finding a method so you can quit. Quitting smoking will also prevent you from getting gum disease.
There are certain foods that trigger bad breath and these can be things like garlic, specific spices, and coffee. Dry mouth can also lead to bad breath so make sure you stay hydrated during the day. If you’re finding your mouth is really dry, try some sugar-free gum, products or candy to trigger saliva production.
If you’re still noticing your bad breath, try combining half hydrogen peroxide and half water into a glass and use it as a mouthwash.
There are a number of breath freshening kits and remedies out there that can help you, but be sure to ask us at Max Dental @ Yaletown about it before you try these products.
Did you know the first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany in the early 1800s out of pastry and sugar? Nowadays, Easter treats can include Peeps, Cadbury eggs, donuts, marshmallows, Mars bars, cake, ice cream – all things that might cause cavities and tooth decay.
If you’re worried that your sweet tooth might turn into tooth decay, don’t be! You can enjoy your Easter treats and keep your teeth healthy! Just keep in mind these simple things when hunting for your Easter eggs:
Pick Dark Chocolate – dark chocolate can help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure.
Avoid Anything Gooey – candy that sticks to your teeth is more likely to feed the bacteria in your mouth that causes cavities
Water It Down – water can help wash away-cavity causing bacteria, so be sure to keep a glassful close at hand.
Practice Good Oral Health – be sure to brush twice a day for 3 minutes, floss daily before bed and visit Max Dental @ Yaletown for your dental hygiene appointment every 6 months or if you suspect that you might have a cavity.
The dental health team at Max Dental @ Yaletown wishes you and your family a sweet Easter filled with smiles!
Due to an increase of sugar in their diet through fast food, soda pop and candy, children are now much more susceptible to bacteria which causes cavities or tooth decay and harm their teeth.
In fact, the U.S. Center for Disease Control cites a study that says there has been a 15.2 percent increase in tooth decay during the last 10 years for children under six.
Children’s oral health worsens when they are sent to school. At school, there is more chance of them getting a soda from vending machines. Our culture is shifting so that there is minimal parental supervision and convenience foods are way too readily available, and this is all having a severe effect on oral health.
There are many things parents can do to stop their kids from getting cavities. Daily oral care is essential, and can be achieved at minimal cost.
Here are some additional healthy dental habits for kids:
Making sure your child gets the proper oral care. Pregnant women who eat a balanced and nutritious diet are already helping their children and leading them on the right path when it comes to oral health. Preventive care is ideal after the baby’s first feeding and should continue on as the child gets older. Children are not able to remove plaque themselves until they are eight, so a parent needs to help them brush and floss twice a day.
Sugar is hurting your child’s teeth. Kids can get cavities as early as nine months of age. Their upper front teeth are first affected and this can quickly spread to the other teeth if a child is feeding on a bottle containing sugar. If food surface is not removed from the teeth, your child’s teeth will start to decay quickly.
Bring your child to the dentist before they turn 1. Before a child turns one is the ideal time to take them for their first dental visit. This is a good idea for you too, parents – this appointment can help educate you on what you can do to make sure your child’s oral health is the best it can be. We can also help you identify signs of early problems while they are still in a stage that is easy to treat.
Simply brushing your teeth is not an effective solution for preventing tooth decay and erosion. The general dentistry team at Max Dental at Yaletown in Vancouver recommends dental sealants, which give teeth solid protection against the bacteria that infiltrates your mouth and causes cavities.
What are dental sealants?
Sealants are made of durable, stain-resistant plastic and are bonded to the grooves of your teeth. After a dentist at Max Dental at Yaletown seals the tooth, the grooves are smoothed down and make it hard for plaque to build. Sealants make brushing teeth easy and efficient.
Dental sealants are safe for children and are a great way to prevent tooth decay after their permanent teeth have erupted. Sealants, however, can only be placed on healthy teeth. Sealing permanent teeth is much more common that sealing baby teeth; however, each person has different needs and your local Vancouver dentist at Max Dental at Yaletown can tell you if dental sealants are a good option for you or not.
Sealants last for a few years, although it is common for adults to have older sealants that are still functional. A dental sealant is only effective when it is in good shape, so if your sealant falls out, let your dentist know and book an appointment so we can reseal your teeth.
To learn more about dental sealants, or to book an appointment with your local Vancouver dentist at Max Dental at Yaletown to reseal your teeth, contact us today.
No matter how cool and trendy you think tongue rings are, these piercings are dangerous and potentially fatal. Piercing your tongue can result in chipped teeth, recessed gums and nerve damage. What some people don’t know is that getting a piercing in the mouth can result in a fatal condition, like Ludwig’s angina or endocarditis.
Ludwig’s angina is an infection in the bottom of the mouth caused by bacteria, and occurs after your tooth has been infected, an injury to the mouth, an oral procedure or an unnecessary hazard to your health. When you get an oral piercing, the mouth develops an open wound for bacteria to travel through your blood. Bacteria has the power to make the bottom of the mouth swell quickly which blocks the airway or stops you from swallowing your saliva.
Endocarditis comes from bacteria traveling in the blood through the hole that has been pierced. This can be an infection in the heart, and people who have a history of heart problems are at risk for this disorder.
Most professionals will not recommend piercings, but if you do get a piercing, be sure to take good care of it. Unclean piercing equipment can cause other infections, like hepatitis. Make an appointment at Max Dental at Yaletown to ensure that you are getting the follow-up care you need.
Tooth sensitivity is a nerve irritation that occurs after your enamel has worn down or if your gums are receding, exposing the surfaces of your teeth. Pain normally stems from consuming hot or cold foods and beverages that touch your teeth, bringing them in contact with cold air. If you’re having tooth sensitivity, Max Dental at Yaletown in Vancouver can help.
The most popular complaint from dental patients is that tooth sensitivity causes so much pain that your eating habits change – even a spoonful of ice cream can be an excruciating experience for people with sensitive teeth.
What causes tooth sensitivity?
There are a variety of reasons that your teeth may be extra sensitive. One factor that may lead to tooth sensitivity is eating or drinking large quantities of foods with acid, especially citrus juices. Avoiding these foods and drinks can help alleviate the problem.
How can I prevent tooth sensitivity?
Another great way to prevent tooth sensitivity is by using the proper toothpaste. Toothpastes that have abrasive ingredients like the ones in whitening toothpastes will be hard on people with sensitive teeth. A desensitizing toothpaste is a better choice, and having your dentist apply sealants or fluoride will help.
Brushing your teeth too hard can also cause tooth sensitivity, so it is a good idea to use a soft toothbrush. Brushing too hard can start breaking down the tooth and expose the more sensitive underside. A good test to see if you are brushing too aggressively is by looking carefully at the bristles on your toothbrush. If the bristles point in several directions, then you are brushing too hard.
The dental team at Max Dental at Yaletown have a number of regiments that can help you manage tooth sensitivity. One treatment solution is to apply a desensitizing agent or protective coating that will alleviate any discomfort you might have.
Contact Max Dental at Yaletown today to learn more about managing tooth sensitivity.
Below you’ll find an informational video from Colgate on tooth sensitivity:
We all know that sugary junk food isn’t going to do us any favors for our waistlines, but eating lots of sugar will also rot your teeth and lead to tooth decay. At Max Dental at Yaletown in Vancouver, we will ensure your teeth feel healthy and can give you strategies to prevent tooth decay.
Let us break it down for you: sugar that lives in the mouth gets devoured by bacteria which create acids that break down your tooth enamel. This leads not only to decay but to other problems, including gingivitis.
Because we live in such a fast-paced culture, it’s common to neglect a balanced diet in favor of an unhealthy one made up of convenient foods with high-sugar content. It is obvious that this type of lifestyle is detrimental to not only people’s oral health, but to their overall well-being.
Experts say that because we live in such a stressful society, fast food is a quick and easy fix for most people.
So what can you do to prevent tooth decay and lead a healthy lifestyle? Staying away from fast food and foods high in sugar is the obvious answer, but there are other things you can do as well.
Ways to Keep Tooth Decay At Bay:
Brush your teeth at least two times per day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. It is better if you brush after eating and before you go to sleep.
Floss your teeth with dental floss or interdental cleaners.
Check with a dentist at Max Dental at Yaletown about using supplemental fluoride, a product which can make your teeth stronger.
Ask us about dental sealants, so we can stop your teeth from decaying.
Drinking water is important, and drinking fluoridated water every day will help protect your children’s teeth from decaying.
Be sure to book an appointment with an oral health expert at Max Dental at Yaletown for your regular dental check-up.
X-rays are essential to a person’s oral health, and at Max Dental at Yaletown, we want to ensure that people are getting regular X-rays for their teeth.
So what is the big deal about getting X-rays? X-ray exams reveal the state of your teeth, and the composition of the bones in your face. They are also able to spot gum disease and abnormal growths (including cysts and tumors). X-rays can also locate where impacted and unerupted teeth are, and can find cavities or disease that a simple checkup couldn’t.
X-rays for Vancouver dental patients at Max Dental at Yaletown can be vital for maintaining oral health. For most patients, they will receive a full set of mouth X-rays to determine the state of their oral health. Patients may need to follow up so we can analyze the condition of their gums or their odds of tooth decay.
Our patients’ health is important to us, so schedule an appointment at Max Dental at Yaletown today to book your X-ray. Here’s a wonderful video that explains the many benefits of digital X-rays:
Many dental patients in Yaletown believe they have perfect oral health. However, at Max Dental, we see many patients who are suffering from gingivitis and gum disease without even realizing it. Puffy, red gums that bleed could mean you have gingivitis. If you ignore these symptoms — and many patients do as the swelling, redness and bleeding aren’t typically painful — you may be on your way to early stage periodontal (gum) disease. But, it’s also possible to prevent the disease from occurring by reducing plaque build-up. Daily flossing and brushing, as well as regular dental hygienist cleanings, can keep plaque away. Regular dental checkups at Max Dental at Yaletown are crucial in gum disease prevention since any early signs of decay can be caught.
Some of our Vancouver patients are surprised when their previously healthy, pink gums start to turn red and begin to bleed, but an individual’s oral health can change at any time. This is why gum disease prevention must be an ongoing effort on your part. Without daily flossing and brushing, plus regular checkups and cleanings at Max Dental at Yaletown , you’re likely to be at risk for periodontal disease. Make sure you brush at least twice a day, as well as floss daily, to avoid plaque build-up. Plaque, a film containing bacteria and acids, ruins tooth enamel as well as causes periodontal disease. Food particles can become trapped in plaque and further the progress of the disease, so it’s important to get regular hygienist cleanings plus gum disease prevention support from your dentist, who may recommend fluoride or other decay-preventive solutions.
Getting tips and checkups at Max Dental at Yaletown is an easy way to prevent gum disease and avoid destroying the structure of your teeth. Without regular professional care, moderate and late stages of gum disease may occur. If the gums aren’t healthy, they can’t adequately support the teeth. In the moderate stage of periodontal disease, gums tend to recede and expose large portions of the upper teeth–negatively affecting the tooth structure. Teeth often become loose at this stage. You’ll need to see your oral health expert to help avoid the advanced stage of gum disease. This stage of periodontal disease is the main cause of adult tooth loss and pain is typically present due to infection being built up deeply within the gums.
Don’t put off the state of your oral health! Contact the team at Max Dental at Yaletown to book an appointment for personalized gum disease prevention and treatment.
Here’s a great video about what you can do to prevent gum disease and keep your smile healthy!
Here at Max Dental, we understand that our Yaletown dental patients may suffer from dental anxiety and therefore can be extremely reluctant to contact us and book an appointment. Research has identified the Top 3 anxiety-causing reasons about dental visits – and here’s what we’re doing to make your every visit to Max Dental, your Yaletown dentist, something to look forward to!
Pain
Fear of pain is completely natural and the oral health care experts at Max Dental, your Yaletown dentist understand that anxiety associated with needles and the idea of pain/discomfort in the mouth can convince patients they’re better off suffering from oral health care issues than coming to the dentist. However, we want to set the record straight. Most dental procedures are currently pain-free. If you require sedation and dislike needles, we’ll offer you alternative options or conceal the needle if necessary.
Embarrassment
90% of patients in one recent study reported that embarrassment is the no. 1 reason why they don’t visit the dentist. If you’re worried that you’ve neglected your teeth and your oral health care, come in for an appointment and learn about your oral health care options at Max Dental, your Yaletown dentist. We’re here to help and we promise we won’t lecture you! After all, we’re your oral health care partner and your oral health is just as important to us as it is to you.
Control
If you don’t like feeling like you have no control over what happens in the dentist chair, come to Max Dental, your Yaletown dentist for a dental experience like no other. We promise to do our best to communicate with you, both online and offline. We’ll work out a system that allows you to alert us to any trouble or discomfort during a procedure.
At Max Dental @ Yaletown, our goal is to give you the best dental experience possible. Contact us today and find out why we should be your choice for oral health care.
![Have Bad Breath? Conquer It With These Tips [VIDEO]](https://www.yaletowndentists.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/placeholder-yaletowndentists.png)
![Gum Disease: You Can Prevent It! [VIDEO]](https://www.yaletowndentists.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/gum-disease-you-can-prevent-it-video-700x675.jpg)
