July 2017 - Holistic Dentist, Biological Dentist

It’s our goal at Smilehaven Dental Center to not only be your source for high-quality dental treatments – we want to be your source of knowledge and information when it comes to dental best practices. That’s why we’re always glad to answer any questions or concerns that you may have. One such question that we commonly get asked about is related to bad breath and why it occurs. Bad breath doesn’t only happen because of one reason; it can occur because of many different causes, some of them including the following.

Food

What’s often the cause of bad breath is food. When you eat food and you don’t clean your mouth of all the remnants, the leftover food particles will begin to breakdown, increasing the bacteria in your mouth and then emitting an unpleasant odor. Certain foods are more likely to cause bad breath; these include onions, garlic, and dairy products.

Dry Mouth

As mentioned, food particles that are left in your mouth can begin to emit odors. One of the reasons why food can linger is because of dry mouth. Naturally, saliva will help wash your mouth of any food particles and bacteria. However, when you have dry mouth, your saliva production is limited and you’ll be more likely to have leftover food particles in your mouth. This will lead to bad breath.

Bad Hygiene

Another common cause of bad breath is just simply having bad hygiene. Maintaining proper brushing and other oral hygiene habits is vital in cleansing your mouth of food and bacteria that can lead to bad breath.

Mouth Infections

When you have a mouth infection, your mouth may smell bad as well. Some common mouth infections that can do this include gum disease, cavities, and impacted teeth. It’s just another reason why it’s critical for you to maintain a great level of oral hygiene.

Smoking

This one is obvious! Smoking will create an unpleasant smell that lingers in your mouth long after you’ve put your cigarette out. If that wasn’t enough, it can also lead to gum disease, which is another cause of bad breath.

Contact Your La Mesa and El Cajon, CA Dentist Today!

If you have any further questions about bad breath, please feel free to contact us. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with us, we encourage you to give us a call at (619) 464-2801. We hope to hear from you soon and help you attain an optimal level of oral hygiene!

It’s normal for people to want to do what they can to have whiter smiles. Some will visit their cosmetic dentist for teeth whitening treatments. Others actually attempt to do so on their own through natural teeth whitening processes. Some can be very effective…others not so much. At Smilehaven Dental, it’s our job as your trusted holistic dentist in La Mesa and El Cajon, CA to help you out by giving you some natural – and effective – ways to whiten your teeth.

Brush After You Eat or Drink

While it may take some extra time out of your schedule, the best way to whiten your teeth naturally is to just brush your teeth after you eat or drink anything. This will help immediately remove any stains on your teeth and keep them looking pearly white.

Brush Your Tongue Too

You may be wondering what brushing your tongue has to do with giving you a whiter smile. Brushing your tongue is often associated with staving off bad breath, but it’s also capable of keeping your teeth whiter. Much of the bacteria that accumulates on your tongue will transfer over to your teeth, which can stain them. By brushing your tongue, you’ll get rid of this problem and help keep your teeth whiter.

Eat Fruits and Vegetables

While people may associate eating fruits and vegetables with healthiness for the body – it’s actually very healthy for the teeth as well. Fruits and vegetables are stain removers. This means that they can increase the mouth’s saliva production in order to help naturally clean teeth. The most effective fruits and vegetables of them all are the crunchy ones, such as carrots and celery. Not only will they make your mouth produce more saliva, but they also act as an abrasive scrubbing agent that will keep your teeth clean.

Rinse Your Mouth with Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar acts as a stain remover in the same way that fruits and vegetables do. Its consistent usage will help remove stains and it will also make your teeth much whiter. Just be careful not to use it too much – it’s acid after all. Doing it too often can potentially wear away at your tooth enamel.

Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an antibacterial agent that will whiten your teeth and keep them free from germs. Baking soda will help get rid of plaque that’s on your teeth. By mixing these two together, you can create a paste-like substance and brush your teeth with it for optimal results. This homemade mixture is an excellent natural option for whitening your teeth.

Visit Your La Mesa and El Cajon, CA Cosmetic Dentist!

While these treatments are all effective over time, nothing beats a professional teeth whitening treatment! If you’re interested in our teeth whitening treatment, we encourage you to give us a call at (619) 464-2801. Alternatively, you can schedule a visit with your holistic dentist by filling out our online appointment request form. We look forward to seeing you and giving you a whiter and brighter smile!

Month: July 2017

The Many Causes of Bad Breath