Teeth cleanings are essential not just for clean teeth, but a healthy mind and body as well. But for such a routine visit, there are lots that people don’t know about. Here’s what you should know and what you should expect out of your next teeth cleaning.

We need teeth cleanings for two reasons:

• To prevent diseases in the rest of the body like heart disease, dementia, and complications of diabetes
• To prevent tooth loss

The mouth is an area that’s completely different from the entire body, and it takes quite a beating from the food we eat and the talking we do all day long. And this unique environment requires special care.

Teeth cleanings remove the buildup of plaque and tartar. This buildup is for the most part natural — kind of like how a boat picks up barnacles just by being in the ocean. But too much buildup leads to gum disease.

The reason tartar needs to be removed is because your body sees it as a foreign invader. As with any other foreign invader, like a flu bug or an infection, your body “sends in the troops” using the immune system to fight off the infection. There is a battle in your mouth at all times, and the war is never over. Teeth cleanings level the playing field by keeping things in check.

Gum disease is when your body’s immune system is responding to this tartar buildup with inflamed and bleeding gums. The immune system response is successful at killing off invaders like infection and flu bugs, but at a cost: like a war, there are innocent bystanders that get slaughtered. As gum disease progresses, so does the destruction to your bone and tissues in your mouth.

Your immune system is meant only to fight off infection for a short period of time — chronic activation of the immune system means it can get worn out and it won’t be as strong to fight off an illness. Chronic activation of the immune system can lead to diseases in the rest of your body.

That’s why preventing gum disease reduces risk of stroke, heart disease, and dementia.

At a certain stage, this damage is irreversible, so prevention is the best way to maintain overall health and keep beautiful teeth for a lifetime — and teeth cleanings are a critical piece of this prevention.

Pacific dental group remind you cleaning your teeth for about twice a year, make a good hobbit and make your teeth healthier.

Even if you brush your teeth daily, you may still have dangerous bacteria growing inside your mouth. Not only could that lead to periodontitis (an advanced form of gum disease that comes with symptoms such as bleeding when you brush and gum pain), but studies also find a link between poor oral hygiene and major health issues.

Here are some ways that missing the mark on oral care could harm your heath. Plus, expert tips on how to keep your mouth healthy.

1 It may hurt your heart
People with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease compared to those don’t have periodontitis. Researchers aren’t exactly sure of why this might be, but one theory is that harmful bacteria from your mouth enters your blood stream and attaches to fatty plaques in your heart’s blood vessels, leading to inflammation and upping your risk of clots that can trigger heart attacks.

2 Your memory could suffer

Some research suggests there may be a tie between poor oral health and an increased risk of dementia. One study that followed 118 nuns between the ages of 75 and 98 found that those with the fewest teeth were most likely to suffer dementia. Experts think oral bacteria may spread to the brain through cranial nerves that connect to the jaw or through the bloodstream, and may contribute to the type of plaque that’s been linked to Alzheimer’s.

3 It can hurt blood sugar

People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than those without diabetes. While this may be because diabetics are more susceptible to infections, there’s also been research that finds gum disease could make it harder to control your blood sugar, and that treating it helps improve diabetes symptoms.

4 It may affect breathing

Gum disease may increase your risk of getting respiratory infections, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia, according to the Journal of Periodontology. The infections might be caused when bacteria from the mouth are inhaled into your lungs, possibly causing your airways to become inflamed.

5 It could hurt your fertility

Women of childbearing age with gum disease took an average of just over seven months to become pregnant—two months longer than the average of five months that it took women without gum disease to conceive, discovered researchers in Western Australia. Other research finds that pregnant women with gum disease might have higher odds of miscarriage.

Expert teeth-cleaning tips

How can you tell if you’re hitting the mark when it comes to good oral care? “Generally, your teeth and gums should not bleed, be painful, or feel rough or sharp to your tongue,” says Pam Atherton, RDH, a dental hygienist for Dr. John Carlile, DDS in Skaneateles, NY. “Your breath should be fresh for at least a couple of hours after brushing in the morning and after having eaten breakfast.” One of the easiest ways to prevent gum disease is to clean your teeth properly, so try these tricks for a healthier mouth.

• Rinse your mouth.If you use mouthwash twice a day, you’ll slash your risk of gum disease by 60%, says Marjorie Jeffcoat, DMD, Professor of Periodontology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia. Ideally you should aim to rinse for about 30 seconds with a mouthwash that has microbial protection to fight plaque and gingivitis, such as Listerine.
• Floss first.You should floss before you brush your teeth, rather than after, says Jeffcoat. “That way you’ll be able to brush away any food that was stuck between your teeth to prevent bacteria from growing.” If you find dental floss hard to hold onto, Atherton suggests trying floss picks, such as Plackers dental flossers, instead.
• Get the right toothbrush.Soft or extra soft bristles are best. “Gum tissue can’t make a callous; therefore, when a person uses a medium or hard-bristled toothbrush, it literally scratches the tissue away over time, exposes the root surface underneath and leads to possible bone loss,” says Atherton.
• Brush smart.To really clean your teeth, aim to brush them for a full two minutes. “Make sure you brush both your tongue and cheeks as well as the chewing surfaces to improve the removal of harmful bacteria in the crevices,” says Atherton. To get your kids to brush the full two minutes, sing Happy Birthday To You or the Alphabet Song twice through at a normal speed for each half of your mouth. And be sure to replace your toothbrush about every three months.

Bleeding gums are caused by inadequate plaque removal. Plaque contains germs which attack the healthy tissue around the teeth. This will cause the gums to become inflamed and irritated, which may cause them to bleed when brushing or flossing. This is called Gingivitis and is the first stage of gum disease. Gingivitis is usually a painless condition and bleeding gums may be the only symptom. Some other signs may include: swollen, red or tender gums; persistent bad breath or taste; teeth that are loose; and a change in the way your teeth fit when you bite. At this stage the disease can be treated and completely reversed. So it is important not to ignore your bleeding gums.

Bleeding Gums Can Affect Your Overall Health

Gum Disease has been linked to more serious conditions including diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. Even men’s sexual health can be affected by gum disease. Scientists believe that inflammation caused by periodontal disease may be responsible for the association between gum disease and these other conditions. Even more reasons not to ignore your bleeding gums.

You May Be At Risk

Age: The incidence of gum disease increases with age. 50% of adults 30 years or older and 70% of those over 65 has gum disease.

Stress: Stress is linked to many serious conditions, including periodontal disease. Research demonstrates that stress can make it more difficult for the body to fight off infection, including periodontal diseases.

Medications: Some prescription medications can increase your risk of gum disease such as anti-depressants, certain heart medications and oral contraceptives. Check with your doctor or dentist to learn if your medication can affect your gums.

Genetics: Some of us are just predisposed to get gum disease. If you think this applies to you, your dentist can perform a simple genetic test to determine your risk.

Other risk factors:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Poor nutrition
• Clenching or grinding teeth
• Tobacco use

Pacific dental group suggest visiting dentist immediately for any dental issues like bleeding. It is never a bad idea to checkout bad conditions early.

Though not as urgent as other dental conditions, yellow teeth can cost you your confidence and willingness to smile every day. Luckily, improving the color of your teeth can be as simple as changing what you eat and drink while polishing your oral care routine. You may even benefit from whitening treatment by your dentist. Here are ten common causes of this undesirable tinge:

1. Genetics

Sometimes, tooth color runs in the family. If one of your parents’ teeth are yellow, it’s likely that yours are a similar hue. Reddish brown, reddish yellow, gray and reddish gray are the four natural shades of otherwise white teeth, and this depth of color varies across a spectrum from light to dark.

2. Dentin

Teeth look yellow when the enamel is thin and the dentin underneath shows through it. Dentin is a deep yellow to brownish material inside your teeth under the enamel, and it’s often responsible for the yellow you see when you look in the mirror. Thick enamel covers up the dentin, but keep in mind it doesn’t always block the stains that build up on the surface, another cause of yellow explained further down.

3. Wear

Teeth ultimately turn yellow, as you get older, when enamel wears away from chewing and exposure to acids from food and drink. Most teeth turn yellow as this enamel thins with age, but some take on a grayish shade when mixed with a lasting food stain.

4. Smoking

Nicotine from smoking doesn’t just develop an unhealthy addiction; it leaves yellowish or brownish surface stains on your teeth, too (one more reason to kick the habit).

5. Foods

A wide range of foods stains teeth. Tomatoes in pasta sauce, curry spices and berries all contain pigments that cling to tooth enamel and stain this surface. Even a healthy salad with balsamic vinegar dressing can leave an unsightly color on your teeth.

6. Drinks

Coffee and tea are two of the most common causes of yellow teeth, but red and white wine are also to blame. Other culprits include dark and light sodas and sports drinks with artificial flavoring.

7. Antibiotics

Tetracycline antibiotics stain teeth when they’re developing in the gums. According to the National Institutes of Health, if your mother took antibiotics in the second half of her pregnancy, or you took them before the age of eight, you may have permanently stained adult teeth that merit an in-office bleaching treatment.

8. Fluorosis

Fluoride is good for teeth, but excess fluoride can cause yellow or brownish yellow spots called fluorosis. Fluoridated water, fluoride toothpaste and prescribed fluoride tablets and treatments are your biggest sources of fluoride. Ask your dentist if you’re concerned you or your child is taking too much through these means.

9. Accidents

Impact of an accident or physical trauma can crack tooth enamel and damage the tooth’s interior, leading to discoloration that may indicate bleeding that needs professional attention.

10. Grinding

Tooth grinding is an unconscious habit some people have when they’re stressed, especially while asleep. Also known as bruxism, it’s quite harmful to tooth enamel, weakening it to the point of cracking and yellowing.

Pacific dental group remind you that brushing, professional cleaning, whitening treatments and veneers should be your solutions for yellow teeth. Make an appointment with your dentist for more help.

It’s true, for some people, no matter how hard they try to clean their mouth, brushing and flossing, their mouth still smells like something crawled up in there and died. This type of condition would be some serious halitosis. Bad breath even after brushing needs powerful help, but only if it is really there.

In some cases, the person with the bad breath may want to look for a second opinion before taking the torch to their mouth. We can be very critical of our selves and exaggerate the situation to the point where it will rule, and ruin, our lives. Asking a trusted friend or a family member to test your breath for you would resolve most self-consciousness about bad breath.

Causes of Bad Breath

Many studies show the various foods and beverages people ingest have a direct correlation on their overall health. With this in mind, certain foods can affect the production of bacteria in the mouth. Coffee is a known beverage that can cause brown stains on the teeth. In addition to this, it causes the mouth to give of a foul smell due to the residue that sticks to the gums, teeth and mouth lining.

Another cause for bad breath is certain illnesses such as gallbladder dysfunction, liver disease, diabetes and sinus infections. Some allergies can also cause the mouth to give off a foul scent.

How To Fight Bad Breath Even After Brushing

Eliminating bad breath is relatively easy but takes a bit of time due to the lifestyle habits that need to be changed and improved. The one thing that many forget is the food residue that is left on the back of the tongue. If it is not cleaned off, YOU WILL STILL HAVE BAD BREATH EVEN AFTER BRUSHING TEETH. An inexpensive tongue scraper tool can be used to scrape all the residue left on the back of the tongue before or after brushing teeth. Working it into the regular brushing routine will resolve this problem for half the people suffering with bad breath.

Being more conscious about the food that is eaten and the beverages consumed, avoiding drinks such as coffee and those with alcohol content are all things that should be taken into account when trying to prevent bad breath. These drinks may cause the mouth to dry out, making it more conducive for bacteria to breed and create more problems. In addition to this, the odors that certain foods such as cheese, garlic and onions emit, tend to stick to the teeth and gums, causing the breath to smell bad.

If the bad breath condition is still persistent, it is wise to visit a doctor. Bad breath can sometimes be an indication of an underlying and more serious condition. It is in the best interest of the person to visit a doctor for early detection and overall peace of mind.

Pacific dental group suggest you brush your teeth carefully and also brush your tongue as well to get avoid your bad breath.