oral health Archives - Bayside Dentistry

Posts Tagged ‘ oral health ’

Five Common Causes of Bad Breath (and What You Can Do About Them)

Posted on: September 6th, 2023 by admin

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable problem that affects millions of people worldwide. It can lead to social isolation, low self-esteem, and even job loss. Fortunately, bad breath is usually caused by something that is easily treatable. In this article, we’ll discuss the five most common causes of bad breath and what you can do to get rid of it. Get ready for good advice from your favorite dentist in Barnegat!

1. Poor Oral Hygiene

Poor oral hygiene is one of the most common causes of bad breath. When you don’t brush and floss regularly, food particles can remain in your mouth and get trapped between your teeth. Bacteria will then start to break down these food particles and release an unpleasant odor. To prevent bad breath caused by poor oral hygiene, make sure to brush your teeth twice a day, floss at least once a day, and use mouthwash regularly.

2. Dry Mouth

Dry mouth or xerostomia is another common cause of bad breath. It occurs when there isn’t enough saliva in the mouth to wash away food particles and bacteria. Saliva is essential because it helps to neutralize acids and prevents plaque buildup. A dry mouth can be caused by certain medications, dehydration, or certain medical conditions. To tackle this issue, you can stay hydrated, chew gum or suck on candy that contains xylitol, or use an artificial saliva substitute.

3. Gum Disease

Gum disease or periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that affects the gums and the supporting structures of the teeth. Symptoms of gum disease include bad breath, bleeding gums, and gum recession. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss. The best way to prevent gum disease is to practice good oral hygiene, go for regular dental checkups, and quit smoking.

4. Sinus and Respiratory Infections

Bad breath can also be caused by sinus and respiratory infections, such as postnasal drip or tonsillitis. Infections in these areas can lead to mucus build-up and bacterial growth that cause bad breath. To treat bad breath caused by these infections, you need to treat the underlying infection. This can be done by taking antibiotics or using nasal sprays, or with a visit to your dentist near Forked River.

5. Diet

Your diet can also play a role in causing bad breath. Foods that have strong odors such as garlic, onions, and curry can leave a lingering smell in your mouth even after brushing. Moreover, diets high in sugar and starch contribute to the growth of harmful bacteria and cause bad breath. To prevent bad breath caused by diet, it’s essential to eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, avoid sugary and starchy foods, and brush and floss regularly.

Conclusion:

Bad breath can be a frustrating problem to have, but there are several things you can do to get rid of it. Simple lifestyle changes such as improving your oral hygiene, staying hydrated, and eating a balanced diet can make all the difference. If bad breath persists despite your efforts, it’s important to see a dentist near Forked River to identify any underlying medical conditions. By following these tips, you can maintain optimal oral health and keep bad breath at bay.

Tags: bad breath, dentist in Manahawkin, dentist near Forked River, oral health
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A Comprehensive Guide to Caring for Your Teeth and Gums

Posted on: August 30th, 2023 by admin

Taking care of your teeth and gums is a critical part of maintaining healthy overall wellbeing. Without good dental hygiene, you can be vulnerable to a range of issues including cavities, tooth decay, gum disease and more. This comprehensive guide will explain the various parts of your teeth and gums, how they work together, common problems that arise and how to best practice good oral health. With just a few simple steps you can ensure your teeth and gums stay strong and healthy for years to come – start tending to your oral health today with this guide!

Your teeth and gums are comprised of very important structures that protect your mouth from infection and decay. The first line of defense for the body is the outer layer of enamel on your teeth, which makes up the strong protective shell around each tooth. In addition to this, your gums contain connective tissue that helps to hold your teeth in place and creates a barrier against infections. Each of these structures are incredibly important, and it is critical that they remain in good health to ensure your overall wellbeing.

Daily dental hygiene is an essential part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. You should brush your teeth at least twice each day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes, focusing on the back molars which tend to be more prone to plaque buildup. Flossing is also important as it helps remove debris, bacteria and plaque from between the teeth and along the gum line. Using a tongue scraper or mouthwash can further help keep your mouth clean by reducing bacteria growth.

In addition to daily dental hygiene, regular checkups with your dentist are necessary in order to address any problems that may arise. Your dentist can check for cavities and gum disease, as well as provide guidance on how to best practice good oral health. They may also recommend certain treatments such as fillings, root canals or crowns to address any issues that have already occurred.

Ultimately, taking care of your teeth and gums is an important part of overall health and wellbeing. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your mouth remains healthy and strong for years to come.

Finally, here are some tips to keep in mind:

– Brush and floss your teeth every day.
– Use a tongue scraper or mouthwash to reduce bacteria growth in the mouth.
– Visit your dentist on a regular basis for checkups and any necessary treatments.
– Avoid smoking, as it can damage gum tissue and increase your risk of developing oral cancer.
– Eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your mouth remains healthy and strong for years to come.

Tags: Barnegat dentist, dental checkup, dental hygiene, manahawkin teeth whitening, oral care, oral health, whiter teeth
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Bad Breath Be Gone: The 5 Most Common Causes and Solutions

Posted on: June 14th, 2023 by admin

Struggling with bad breath? If so, you are not alone. Bad breath (or “halitosis”) is a common problem that affects millions of people around the world. Fortunately, there are several potential causes of bad breath and specific solutions for each one. In this article, we explore the five most common causes of bad breath and how to eliminate them for good!

Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/selective-focus-photo-of-brown-monkey-2213575/
Poor Oral Hygiene: Poor oral hygiene is one of the most common causes of bad breath. This includes not brushing or flossing regularly, failing to scrape your tongue with a tongue scraper, and not using mouthwash regularly. To eliminate bad breath caused by poor oral hygiene, be sure to brush and floss twice daily, scrape your tongue once a day, and use an alcohol-free mouthwash at least once a day.
Dry Mouth: Saliva is essential for keeping bacteria levels in your mouth low; when saliva production decreases due to dehydration or certain medications, this can cause an increase in bad breath. To overcome dry mouth, make sure you are properly hydrated throughout the day and consider using an artificial saliva product if needed.
Food: Some foods, such as garlic and onions, can cause bad breath due to their strong scents. To eliminate bad breath caused by food, brush your teeth or chew sugar-free gum after eating these smelly foods. Additionally, avoid smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol as these two habits can contribute to bad breath.
Sinus Issues: Nasal and sinus issues can cause a buildup of mucus in the back of your throat, which can lead to bad breath. To eliminate bad breath caused by sinus issues, use saline nasal sprays or steam treatments to flush out the excess mucus and keep your nose and sinuses clear.
Medical Conditions: Bad breath can also be a sign of underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or kidney and liver diseases. If you have persistent bad breath that won’t go away despite brushing and flossing regularly, visit your doctor to rule out any serious health issues.

By following these tips, you can eliminate bad breath for good and enjoy fresh-smelling breath all day long!

Tags: bad breath, oral health
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10 Things You Should Know About Flossing

Posted on: March 29th, 2023 by admin

Look, we understand. A lot of people just don’t like to floss. In fact, up to half of all Americans don’t floss as often as they should.

But since flossing helps protect you from oral infections, bad breath, gum disease and more, this is really not a good thing!

Take a look at these 10 things you may not know about flossing and perhaps you’ll change your mind about this all-important hygiene habit.

Some dentists in Southern Ocean County recommend flossing before you brush, not after, to help the fluoride from your toothpaste get between your teeth. However, this advice is not universal. There remains debate over whether or not this actually has any impact. Most dentists agree, though, that the most important thing is that you floss in the first place.
If your gums bleed when you floss, you may be flossing improperly or at irregular intervals. Flossing on a regular basis with a good technique is essential.
If you are not using clean floss for each tooth, you risk transferring bacteria around your mouth!
Floss comes in flavors. You can find all the expected stuff – mint flavors, fruit flavors – and even bacon!
If you have bridgework or wider spaces between your teeth, it may be best to use wide floss, also known as dental tape. This will give better coverage and ensure they remain cleaner and healthier.
If you have closely spaced teeth, consider using waxed floss. This can be easier to slide between your teeth.
Listen for the squeaking sound. You can hear when unwaxed floss is moving against clean teeth. This tells you that plaque has been removed.
According to the American Dental Association, only about 50% of Americans floss daily, and 18% don’t floss at ALL.
27 percent of people LIE about how often they floss!
If using floss feels weird to you, ask your Barnegat dental hygienist about other options. There are products that can provide the same sort of cleaning, including rubber-tips cleaners, pre-threaded flossers, tiny brushes, and more.

If you want to learn more about the importance of flossing, good flossing techniques, and how we can help, reach out to us at 609-698-1155 to set up an appointment with our hygienist, or contact us on Facebook.

Tags: dental health, dental tips, floss, flossing, oral health, south jersey dentist, Southern Ocean County
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Some BIG reasons why your oral health is important

Posted on: November 9th, 2022 by admin

The health of your mouth is important – probably more important than you realize. Good habits can improve your oral health, and can also improve your overall health as well. The bottom line is simple: visiting your dentist serving Manahawkin is a big deal to your overall well being!

In fact, there is strong scientific evidence that your oral health can have a direct role in the health of your entire body. It’s true! Read the following and you’ll see how.

Your Habits When It Comes To Oral Health Can Affect Your Weight

It’s a scientifically proven fact: a good oral hygiene routine can have an impact on your weight. It’s true! You see, brushing your teeth signals your brain that you are finished eating. Try it yourself and see what happens. You will have a suppressed appetite. In other words, break out that tooth brush! The folks at your dentist office near Manahawkin will be glad about it, too.

You’ll Look Better Than Ever

If we’re honest with ourselves, we all want to look as good as we can. Your mouth is an important part of that, since your eyes and smile are the first two things people notice. So with that in mind, good oral hygiene is not just important for your health, it helps you look and feel better than ever. A bright smile can boost your confidence, and that is priceless.

Oral Infections Often Spread

When you have gum disease it can lead to oral infections, and those infections can spread to other parts of your body. They can worsen digestive issues, spread to the heart and result in bacterial endocarditis, and more. This is why some diseases can be diagnosed by symptoms in your mouth. Some of them include heart disease, diabetes, leukemia, and kidney disease.

The Link between Gum Disease And Diabetes

Your dentist serving Manahawkin knows that people suffering from diabetes are more prone to gum disease. We also now know that the link may go in the other direction. In other words, gum disease may contribute to diabetes by impacting blood glucose control. According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, the bacteria associated with gum disease produces toxins that can increase insulin resistance and, as a result, blood glucose levels.

Bad Oral Health Can Affect Your Pregnancy

Pregnant women already know they’re eating for two. What they might not know is that bad oral health can affect their baby. Doctors have linked periodontitis to low birth weight and premature birth. Good reason to maintain a healthy mouth!

What all this means is simple: it’s a good idea to take good care of your mouth, because it can have a major impact on your overall health! Ask your dentists near Manahawkin for more information on how your healthy and oral hygiene are linked so you can learn how good habits can benefit you.

In the meantime, happy brushing, eat the right foods, and of course, don’t forget to floss! That will get you off to a great start!

Tags: dentist, manahawkin dental office, oral health
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These symptoms means it’s time to see a dentist!

Posted on: January 12th, 2022 by admin

If you’re like most people, you’ll invent a host of reasons to avoid seeing your dentist. Don’t worry, we’re not insulted. We’re used to it by now!

But the fact of the matter is, if you begin to experience one of these five conditions, you really need to see your dentist as soon as possible. It may help you avoid a lot of misery down the road!

Toothache

A toothache is nothing to take lightly. The pain you’re experiencing is a sign that something is wrong. You may feel as if you can tolerate the pain or that you can “tough it out,” but letting a toothache go unaddressed is asking for trouble. Whatever the cause of your pain, your condition could worsen. In a worst case scenario, you could even end up losing the tooth. Better to address it early, when there’s a good possibility the issue can be fixed with minimal fuss.

Chronic Bad Breath

Everyone gets bad breath every now and then. It’s common and can be easily triggered by the things we eat. A normal bout of bad breath is nothing to worry about. Chronic bad breath, on the other hand, is a sign of deeper problems that must be addressed. It may be “only” as serious as gum disease, which you’ll want to catch early to begin treatment. It can also be a sign of more serious issues than that. If you suffer from chronic bad breath, it’s important to have your dentist take a look as soon as possible so serious problems can be treated early.

Cracked or Chipped Teeth

One of the most common problems any dentist in Ocean County, NJ near Forked River will deal with are cracked and chipped teeth. The good news is that modern cosmetic dentistry is effective and affordable, with many options available to you. The bad news is, left unaddressed, some issues like this become more than a cosmetic issue. Cracked teeth can cause persistent pain and can lead to serious infections that may put your other teeth in danger, too. Even if you don’t mind how they look, at the very least you should have your dentist examine them to be sure your teeth are in no danger of future issues.

Jaw Pain

Pain in the jaw can come from a number of courses, including toothaches, sinus infections, and more. If you are feeling persistent jaw pain, have it examined by your Ocean County, NJ dentist near Manahawkin to determine the source of the problem. As with anything, the key to avoiding serious issues is to catch them early.

Bleeding Gums

If you experience bleeding gums during/after brushing, there may be an issue that needs addressing. In many cases bleeding gums are merely caused by improper brushing techniques. That is easy to fix. In other cases, however, they may be a sign of gingivitis or other underlying issues. As with all such issues, catching them early gives you the best chance of avoiding more serious complications.

If you experience any of these conditions and live in Barnegat, Forked River / Lacey, Manahawkin, or other areas of Southern Ocean County, call to make an appointment today!

Tags: bleeding gums, cavities, dental problems, manahawkin dental office, oral health, toothache
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How to Whiten Your Teeth at Home

Posted on: August 25th, 2021 by admin

We know you want brighter and whiter teeth. You wouldn’t be reading this or visiting us here at Bayside Dentistry if you didn’t! Though the best results can only come after a visit to our office, there are some things you can do right in your own home to assist with making your teeth whiter. Here are some ideas:

What To Do:

Brush Your Tongue

Brushing your tongue is not purely about keeping your breath fresh. Your tongue gets bacterial buildup, and that buildup that often results in staining on your teeth. Brushing your tongue helps ease that problem.

Eat Raw Fruits and Vegetables

The saying that an apple a day keeps the dentist away is true! Raw fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears, celery, carrots, and others help scrub away plaque and other elements that can stain, making them a nutritious way to maintain whiter teeth. Just don’t skip your visit to a dentist serving Forked River and Southern Ocean County, like Bayside Dentistry!

Use Apple Cider Vinegar

This is an organic teeth whitening technique you can try at home. Just rinse with apple cider vinegar. It’s that simple! Though not nearly as effective as the professional treatments you’ll get from your dentist – it’s not even close – it can offer pretty decent results and help you maintain some brightness. All you need to do is mix two parts water to one part apple cider vinegar and rinse.

Replace Your Toothbrush

You should be doing this no matter what! Keep in mind that due to bacterial buildup, you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months, because worn bristles become increasingly less effective at cleaning your teeth as they wear down.

Rinse Your Mouth After Eating Citrus

Oranges, lemons and others are delicious, but they can be bad for your teeth due to their high acidity. Eat them as much as you want, but rinse with water after you’re done. Your teeth will thank you for it.

Visit Your Dentist

All of the above suggestions will help alleviate the staining effects that time, eating, and drinking will have on the whiteness of your teeth, but if you desire noticeably whiter and brighter teeth, you’re going to want to ask your dentist about teeth whitening in Ocean County.

What NOT to do:

Do Not Use Baking Soda

This all-purpose cleaning agent is often suggested, but proceed with caution! Baking soda can be abrasive, wearing away the enamel of your teeth and eventually causing them to darken.

Drink Too Many Energy Drinks

You already know to avoid coffee and tea, but did you know that energy drinks can wear at your teeth color, too? The team here at Bayside will confirm that these drinks are highly acidic, causing them to wear at your tooth enamel. If you have to drink them, consider using a straw to help avoid your teeth.

Don’t Gorge on Dark Foods

Marinara sauce, blackberries and blueberries, dark sauces for your pasta, and similar foods may be tasty, but they can stain your teeth. If you do eat them, brush promptly afterward!

Finally, the best thing you can do for your white teeth? Have regular checkups with your dentist, especially if they are a dentist serving Manahawkin.

Tags: cosmetic dentistry, oral health, teeth whitening
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In Southern Ocean County, Dental Health Is Tied to Overall Health

Posted on: July 14th, 2021 by admin

Your mouth is a funny place. Your body is fairly easy to keep clean and healthy when compared to your mouth. As long as you shower daily, eat right and get some exercise, generally speaking your body is going to treat you fairly well. Your mouth is another story. Your mouth is a place that is warm and wet, and that makes it a great place for germs and bacteria to thrive. It’s also filled with tiny little nooks and crannies that create perfect places for oral problems to begin. And finally, it acts as the gateway to your insides.

That’s why taking good care of your mouth requires some work on your part – just as your Southern Ocean County dental office tells you!

And make no mistake, it’s a relatively small effort that you’ll want to make, because your oral health is closely tied to your overall health. Here’s how:

Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-people-having-fun-together-under-the-sun-708392/

Periodontal Disease

Some recent studies now prove there are links between periodontal disease and other oral afflictions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s. dentists have found that they can often diagnose those conditions early in part by your oral health.

Good Digestion

Your every bodily function begins and ends with your body’s ability to turn food into energy, and that entire process begins in your mouth.

Heart Disease

It might seem to be counter intuitive that these two things would be linked, but a study from 2008 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine suggested that periodontal disease was a risk factor for heart disease. A few follow-up studies also appear to show that treating periodontal disease can also lower’s a person’s risk for heart disease.

Diabetes

Diabetes shows itself in a number of ways, among them in gum inflammation. This is something your dentist might notice, allowing you to spot early warning signs of the disease.

Preterm Labor

This is another that may surprise you. We now know that pregnancy increases the risk of gum disease and other oral maladies, and further, gum disease increases the risk of low birth weight and preterm labor. So these things are linked!

Pneumonia

Earlier when we said your mouth was a good place for bacteria and germs to gather, we weren’t kidding. Under some conditions, breathing in germs may put you at an increased risk of developing pneumonia thanks to those factors. That’s a good reason to have good oral hygiene!

Osteoporosis

Current studies are still looking into this, but a few researchers believe that suffering from both osteoporosis and periodontal disease could lead to faster bone loss. That’s not really a risk you want to take then, is it?

Arthritis

This link still being studied, but it’s worth noting. A study published in the Journal of Periodontology is one of several trying to establish a connection between these two inflammatory disorders.

With all of the above in mind, it appears that a good idea is to follow the advice of your dentist in Ocean County when they tell you to do better at care of your mouth. Wouldn’t you agree?

By now you know what to do: Brush at least twice daily, ever day! Floss daily. Be sure to use mouthwash. Go for regular checkups with your dentist. Avoid food and drinks high in sugar. And so on.

Why? Because these things may seem minor, so small that sometimes you can’t be bothered to follow through, but they can play a role in protecting a much bigger, interconnected system – you body.

Tags: dentist in lacey, dentist in Manahawkin, Ocean County, oral health, Southern Ocean County
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Your Oral Health is Tied to Your Overall Health. Here’s How

Posted on: July 13th, 2020 by admin