Q : I brush and floss regularly, but I still have bad breath all day, and all the mouthwashes I've tried stain my teeth. What can I do to make my breath smell better ?
A : Mouthwash may mask your breath for a short period of time, but you're not getting to root of your problem. Mouthwash kills bacteria, but bacteria breed quickly - in couple of hours, you are back where you started. The fact is, no matter how much you brush, you have to brush your tongue. Bacteria love to live in the crannies of your tongue. While there are many tongue brushes, all you need to do the job is toothpaste and toothbrush.
Halitosis comes from something living in your mouth, so if brushing your tongue doesn't work, you may have a cavity, a broken filling, or an infection. Check with your dentist. If he or she doesn't find anything, it's likely an internal problem, such as acid reflux, so see your physician.
Q : There are so many toothpaste out there - What do I really need to look for when selecting one?
A : Basically all the elements in the toothpaste are the same, so look for one that encompasses all the things you are interested in. Of course you want your toothpaste to prevent cavities, gingivitis, and plaque buildup, and most people nowadays want whitening toothpaste. The ingredients to look for are fluoride (fight cavities), triclosan (fight gingivitis and reduces plaque), and hydrated silica (whitens).
Q : Electric toothbrushes are expensive. Is buying one worth the cost ?
A : If you are doing good with the manual toothbrush, no. Rotary electric toothbrushes mimic the proper motion of brushing, that is, little circles, not back and forth, which can cause gum recession. Rotary brushes also have a timer to let you know when you are finished - after 2 minutes, not the 30 seconds most people spend brushing.
Sonicare brushes are based on the principle of oscillation and vibrate many times per second to break up tartar. They work wonderfully, but not everyone can tolerate the high-pitched sound it makes. People with any bonded restorations should not use Sonicare because over time, the vibration will break down the cement in those fillings.
Q : How can I tell if my teeth are receding too much ?
A : When you smile, if you see a root - which is a darker yellow than your tooth - you need to see your dentist. Also, if your teeth are sensitive to cold or brushing, then your gums are likely receding. Some recession is OK, but you don't want to lose too much tissue because then it becomes a functional problem and you could lose your tooth.
Q : My gums bleed when I floss. Does that mean I should worry about my heart health ?
A : No, you should talk to your dentist. If you have just started flossing, your gums will bleed a little until they are conditioned to it - just like your muscles are sore when you first start an exercise program. Over time, your gums become tougher. But if you have been flossing regularly and are seeing bleeding, there is an underlying issue. There are numerous possible explanations, including gingivitis and a poorly fitted crown that is impinging on your gum. See your dentist.
Q : Do any chewing gums with teeth whiteners really work ?
A : Whitening works is that the bleach is in contact with your tooth and it removes stains by oxidation. Chewing gum doesn't contact the outside of your tooth. It stimulates salivary flow, which will remove staining bacteria off of the chewing surfaces of your teeth and some food particles. If you want to brighten your smile, you need to use a whitening agent that stays on the outside of your teeth for a length of time.
Q : When it comes to their teeth, what is men's biggest grooming mistake ?
A : Most men don't floss, but it's just as important as brushing. For grown adults, most cavities start between teeth. The bristles of your toothbrush don't reach there, so bacteria in plaque metabolize and cause cavities. The only way to prevent this is to floss. But you don't have to do it after every meal, once a day, like at night after you brush your teeth before going to bed, is enough.
Q : Should I use mouthwash ?
A : Mouthwash, for men or women, kills bacteria that cause bad breath. It refreshes breath. You still need to floss, Bacteria metabolize quickly and will regrow in hours, you can never fully get rid of it. You still have to brush your teeth. But mouthwash freshens breath nicely.
Q : Are bleaching products safe?
A : They are very safe, but you need to follow instructions. So if the instructions say to leave the product on for 2 hours, that's the limit - 8 hours isn't better in this case. You can overbleach -your teeth will get translucent at edges and have a blue-ish hue. They become very sensitive to hot, cold, and air. You can also burn and irritate your gums. Luckily, if you stop the treatment, the side effects will go away - your teeth won't fall out.
Q : How do I know if I'm brushing too hard?
A : Gum recession is the most common sign you are brushing too hard - the gum pulls away from tooth, exposing the root, so your tooth looks longer. This causes sensitivity to cold and air, and if you touch the area with your fingernail. You can also cause erosion, which is a loss of tooth enamel The best way to prevent gum recession is to brush properly. Use an ultra soft or soft toothbrush. People think a medium brush will get more off to their teeth, but unfortunately it does damage. It's harder to do that with a soft brush. And brush for 2 minutes (most people only brush for 30 seconds) in little circles, not back and forth. And remember, once your gum is gone, it's gone - the damage isn't reversible. The only way to fix it is to transplant a piece of tissue from the root of your mouth to cover the exposed area.
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