Tag Archives: oral hygiene

Bad Breath could be more than a stinky situation

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on September 10, 2019

Bad breath, morning breath, hot breath, or whatever you call the stinky aroma that emanates from your mouth when you have that first morning yawn of the day, isn’t pleasant for anyone. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is embarrassing and can cause anxiety for anyone who is experiencing it. For most people, after they’ve had their morning coffee and brushed their teeth with some minty toothpaste, the fear of stinky breath is gone for a while. However, bad breath is a symptom that likes to come and go, depending on someone’s health, oral hygiene habits, and what they eat.

Bad Breath Causes, Treatment, and Prevention: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/bad-breath#1

What Causes Bad Breath?

There are a few main reasons you may be experiencing stinky breath, such as:

  • What you’re eating. Food is broken down in your mouth when you chew, and some foods with strong smells, such as onions, herbs, or garlic, may take more than just one tooth brushing to go away. These are odors that will stick with you until the food has passed. Other strong-smelling foods that may affect your breath are coffee, cheese, fish, and spices. Make sure to brush, and floss, to get any bits of food that may be stuck between your teeth.  
  • Your health. Unpleasant breath can be more than just a stinky smell, it could mean that something isn’t quite right regarding your health. Consistent bad breath could be a sign of gum disease, which is when there is too much plaque and bacteria in your mouth. Cavities, an infection in the mouth, yeast infections in the mouth, and dry mouth are also oral symptoms that can lead to halitosis. There are also a few diseases and illnesses that can cause bad breath as a symptom. Sinus infections, a cold, tonsil stones, some cancers, diabetes, and more can cause bad breath. Read more here about the top 3 oral diseases that could impact your overall health.

Learn more about diseases and bad breath: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bad-breath/symptoms-causes/syc-20350922

  • Your dental hygiene. If you’re not sticking to a strict dental hygiene routine, you could be missing bits of food and bacteria in your mouth. When those things get missed, they can cause an abundance of plaque and bacteria in the mouth. When your mouth isn’t clean and is teeming with bacteria, you can experience a multitude of oral health issues – stinky included. That’s why regular dental checkups are so important. Your dentist can properly clean your teeth and assess them, letting you know if anything looks concerning. Smoking cigarettes can also cause bad breath and often also causes gum disease.

More on bad breath causes: https://www.medicinenet.com/bad_breath/article.htm

Although bad breath can be typical with an acidic or herb-filled meal, it’s important to know that consistent bad breath could be an important indicator of something else going on. At GPS Dental, we want you to feel your best and take pride in helping our patients get their dream smile. If you have concerns about bad breath, please give us a call!

Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dental care for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.

Oral Diseases and Tooth Loss… GPS Dental Can Help

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on March 26, 2019

oral-disease

Not many individuals understand the importance of maintaining a healthy mouth. Daily brushing and flossing, as well as heading to the dentist regularly are essential habits to adopt. Ignoring these practices can lead to various oral diseases, commonly known as periodontal disease.  It is imperative that people implement positive habits to prevent these issues from happening.

According to statistics, more than half of Texans aged 45 to 64 experienced tooth loss due to oral disease. It has also been proven  that one out of every 7 adults in the U.S. aged 65 and older are missing all of their natural teeth. These issues highlight the importance of oral health, and individuals should commit to healthy oral habits to avoid tooth loss and other adverse effects.

What are Oral Diseases?

Dentists are always stressing to patients the importance of up keeping their oral health. Patients are often advised to brush their teeth every day and implement daily flossing. That is because the frequent consumption of food causes plaque to build up on teeth. Cleaning teeth thoroughly removes plaque, which left unchecked can produce acids that attack the teeth and gums.

Neglecting dental cleaning can cause deterioration, the development of gingivitis, and eventually, gum disease if not treated appropriately. Ultimately, the gums begin to recede, giving bacteria access to tooth roots and the ability to destroy exposed bone structures.

How Does Oral Disease Contribute to Tooth Loss?

As mentioned, gums begin to pull away from teeth, creating pockets that food and plaque can easily be trapped in. These pockets with wedged pieces of food can lead to infection. As the disease progresses, the bacteria eat away at the bone, causing a weak structure that results in the loss of teeth.

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Other Types of Dental and Oral Diseases

In addition to gingivitis, gum disease, and oral infections, other dental diseases can surface. These include cavities and oral cancer. Cavities generally occur when sugar and bacteria in the mouth create an acid that eats away at tooth enamel.

In adults, cavities occur due to bacteria getting caught around the perimeter of a filling. Root cavities also happen due to gum recession and the exposure of roots, which are susceptible to cavities and damage.

Oral cancer is also a common issue among adults. Heavy tobacco and alcohol use are some of the leading causes of this detrimental disease. Signs of oral cancer include difficulty swallowing, a white or red patch in the mouth, pain when moving the tongue or jaw, and more.

Related Article: Get Your Oral Cancer Screening

GPS Dental Can Help to Improve Your Oral Health

At GPS Dental, we encourage patients to adopt healthy oral habits. Our job as professionals is to guide the oral health of our patients. Therefore, professional checkups and cleanings, in addition to everyday habits, are essential to avoid oral diseases. Should you be looking for a team of dental professionals that are dedicated to your oral health, contact our office in San Antonio to book an appointment.

Related Article: Brooks City Base Dentist: GPS Spotlight on Gary Skrobanek, DDS

Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers family dentistry for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.