Halitosis, or chronic bad breath, is a common complaint. While it can be embarrassing, that’s not the only thing that makes it concerning — persistent bad breath can be a sign of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. 

At the office of Eric Felt DDS, our team is committed to helping you achieve lasting results as you work to improve your oral health. Rather than just masking your bad breath, we encourage you to dig a little deeper to identify and address the root cause. 

If you’re struggling with halitosis, keep reading to explore possible causes and solutions and learn when it’s time to seek professional help from your dentist.

Common Causes of Halitosis

First, let’s get into some things that may be contributing to your bad breath. 

Food and Drink Choices

Food and drink choices are the most common causes of bad breath, but the good news is that their effects are typically temporary. When you eat or drink something with a strong smell, such as garlic, onions, alcohol, or coffee, the food particles can linger in your mouth and emit odors. 

Furthermore, some foods contain volatile sulfur compounds that are released when chewed. These compounds are absorbed into the bloodstream and exhaled through the lungs, causing lingering bad breath. 

The effects should wear off after a couple of hours. If they don’t, it may be a sign that something else is contributing to your halitosis.

Poor Oral Hygiene, Tooth Decay, and Gum Disease

Poor oral hygiene is another common culprit behind halitosis. When food particles are left in the mouth, bacteria break down the debris, which, like smelly foods, can release foul-smelling volatile sulfur compounds. 

Eventually, this bacteria can cause plaque buildup on the teeth and tongue, leading to tooth decay and gum disease. Decayed crevices in the teeth and infected gum pockets harbor bacteria, exacerbating halitosis. 

Watch out for bleeding or receding gums, swelling, pain while chewing, and visible buildup on the teeth, which are signs of more serious oral health issues that can contribute to bad breath. To prevent these issues, it’s essential to follow proper oral hygiene guidelines for brushing, flossing, and tongue cleaning.

Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

Saliva plays an incredibly important role in oral health. It washes away bacteria and food, keeping your mouth clean and helping to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Xerostomia, characterized by a chronically dry mouth, can be caused by certain medications or conditions, mouth breathing, and dehydration. 

When there’s not enough saliva to keep bacteria away, those germs can metabolize and reproduce. That means that if you struggle with a dry mouth, you’re at an increased risk for gum disease and cavities, which are common contributors to halitosis. 

Tobacco Use

While tobacco products like cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco leave lingering odors in the mouth, that’s not the only way they can negatively affect your oral health and contribute to halitosis. Tobacco dries out the mouth, which can lead to gum disease, as we mentioned before. 

Furthermore, tobacco use can stain the surface of the teeth, slow down the healing process, reduce blood flow to the gums, impact sensation and taste, and even cause oral cancer. And that’s not to mention the systemic health issues! If you’re a tobacco user, talk to your doctor or dentist about quitting. 

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions have been linked to bad breath, as well, including:

• Respiratory infections, such as sinusitis, postnasal drip, and bronchitis
• Digestive issues, such as acid reflux and GERD
• Systemic conditions, such as diabetes and kidney or liver problems
• Infections in the mouth, nose, or throat, including tonsil stones

Because of this, it’s important not to ignore your halitosis — it may indicate something more serious going on in your body. 

Dental Appliances

Bacteria can build up on dental appliances like dentures, retainers, mouthguards, and braces. That bacteria can spread to other parts of your mouth, causing decay, gum disease, and halitosis. If you have a dental appliance — whether it’s fixed in place or not — it’s vital to clean them thoroughly, getting in all the nooks and crannies to eliminate bacteria, protect your oral health, and keep your breath fresh. 

We Can Help You Find Relief from Halitosis

Everyone has bad breath on occasion. However, if you have persistent bad breath despite good oral hygiene or notice signs or gum disease or infection, contact our team at the office of Eric Felt DDS to schedule an appointment so we can address your concerns. Remember that dental checkups and professional cleanings are key to treating halitosis and preserving your oral health, so make today the day that you take the first step toward fresher breath and a healthier smile.

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a common disorder. Many people grind their teeth without even realizing it, especially during sleep. All that clenching and grinding puts stress on the jaw, especially the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. 

If you’re having TMJ issues, keep reading to learn more about how bruxism can contribute to jaw pain and explore how a custom mouth guard from your dentist can offer relief. 

What Is Bruxism?

Everyone grinds their teeth or clenches their jaw on occasion. This isn’t typically a problem; however, when teeth grinding becomes persistent, it can cause issues such as worn-down teeth, jaw pain or stiffness, morning headaches, tooth sensitivity, and cracked or chipped teeth. 

There are two types of bruxism, sleep bruxism and awake bruxism, which can be caused by stress, anxiety, a misaligned bite, sleep disorders, or lifestyle factors like caffeine, alcohol, or smoking.

The Link Between Teeth Grinding and TMJ Disorders

The temporomandibular joint is responsible for opening and closing your jaw. TMJ disorders can occur when there’s pain and dysfunction in the joint and surrounding muscles, causing jaw tenderness or pain, difficulty speaking or chewing, facial pain, earaches, or ringing in the ears. Your jaw may also click, pop, or lock when you open or close your mouth. 

While tooth grinding is not the only thing that can lead to TMJ disorders, the repetitive stress of bruxism is one common cause. When you continuously clench your jaw, you put excessive pressure on the TMJ. Over time, this can lead to inflammation in the joint and surrounding muscles. 

Left untreated, persistent grinding can also shift the jaw out of alignment, further worsening TMJ symptoms. This is why it’s so important to address the issue early, preventing long-term damage to both your jaw and your teeth. 

How Mouth Guards Help Prevent Damage

Mouth guards can be an effective way to address teeth grinding and prevent TMJ issues. These plastic devices provide a cushion between the upper and lower teeth, reducing strain on the jaw muscles and joints and preventing further tooth damage. Patients typically wear them at night to stop themselves from subconsciously grinding their teeth while they sleep. 

There are two ways to get a mouth guard: buy an over-the-counter option at the store, or get fitted for a custom appliance at the dentist’s office. While over-the-counter mouth guards may be suitable for some people, investing in a custom-made mouth guard provides a better fit and helps you stay comfortable. 

The upfront cost of a custom mouth guard may be higher; however, they’re a smart investment. Because these guards use more durable materials and are crafted especially for you, they last longer before wearing out, saving you money in the long run on replacements. 

The benefits of wearing a mouth guard at night include improved sleep, fewer morning headaches, and reduced jaw pain and stiffness. 

Additional Tips for Managing Bruxism and TMJ Disorders

A mouth guard alone isn’t enough to stop bruxism or address TMJ disorders, especially if you grind your teeth during the day. These issues often require a multifaceted approach, which can include:

• Stress management techniques like meditation, exercise, lifestyle changes, and therapy
• Avoiding hard or chewy foods, along with chewing on non-food items like pen caps
• Practicing jaw relaxation exercises
• Regular dental checkups for monitoring

When to See a Dentist

Your dentist can be a valuable resource in helping you find relief from bruxism and TMJ disorders. They can help determine the causes of teeth grinding and recommend treatment options, whether it’s a night guard, repairing damaged teeth, or relaxation techniques. 

If you notice any of these signs, it may be time to seek professional help: 

• Persistent jaw pain
• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
• Noticeable tooth damage or wear
• Disrupted sleep from jaw discomfort

Prompt action and early intervention are key to preventing your symptoms from worsening and avoiding long-lasting effects on your oral health, so don’t wait to schedule an appointment with your dentist. 

Find Relief from Teeth Grinding and TMJ Disorders

At the office of Eric Felt DDS, we’re proud to offer custom mouth guards to patients struggling with bruxism or TMJ disorders. If you’re seeking relief from these conditions, contact us today to schedule an appointment and find out whether a custom mouth guard is right for you. 

Nobody likes flossing their teeth. It’s tedious, time-consuming, and can even be uncomfortable. However, it’s an essential part of your oral hygiene routine, ensuring there’s no food particles or plaque buildup between your teeth. 

If you dread flossing your teeth each day, consider trying dental floss alternatives. Thanks to modern dental technology, you can ditch the traditional dental floss and find something easier and more convenient for you. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore four dental floss alternatives that can make keeping your teeth clean simpler than ever. 

The Importance of Flossing

First, let’s take a closer look at the importance of flossing your teeth. When you eat, tiny particles of food get stuck between your teeth. Left unchecked, these particles can become food for bacteria, which form plaque and contribute to tooth decay. That’s why it’s vital to stop plaque before it has the chance to form, protecting yourself from cavities and gum disease. 

Traditionally, we’ve used dental floss to get in those nooks and crannies brushing can’t reach. However, most people hate flossing, finding it uncomfortable or inconvenient. Some people even forego flossing altogether, putting their oral health at risk.

Explore Dental Floss Alternatives

Luckily, there are other ways to clean between your teeth. From special brushes to picks to water flossers, gone are the days where your only option is traditional thread floss. 

1. Interdental Brushes

First up is interdental brushes, sometimes known as dental picks. This dental floss alternative looks like a tiny, flexible pipe cleaner. Its bristles are similar to those on a regular toothbrush. In fact, the process of using an interdental brush is a lot like brushing your teeth. You use gentle back-and-forth strokes to clean the entire space between your teeth, ensuring that no food particles or plaque are left behind.

Interdental brushes are especially helpful for those with braces or other orthodontic devices, making it much easier to clean under wires and around brackets. 

However, most interdental brushes can only be reused for up to a week, and then must be disposed of. This is not ideal when it comes to environmental sustainability, contributing to landfill waste. Plus, it’s an ongoing cost — you’ll need to buy a new pack every so often, which can add up over time.

2. Water Flossers

Water flossers are like an at-home version of the tool the dental hygienist uses to rinse your teeth after polishing them. This handheld device uses a pressurized jet of water to blast the food, plaque, and bacteria from between your teeth, leaving your mouth squeaky clean. 

Like interdental brushes, this dental floss alternative is a great option for those with oral appliances that are hard to clean around. It can also be useful for those with limited mobility or finger dexterity who find it difficult to maneuver dental floss. 

Water flossers — especially rechargeable ones — are also more sustainable than other dental floss alternatives because they don’t involve any plastic waste. With proper care, your water flosser can last many years, making it better for those who want to minimize their environmental impact. 

3. Threader Floss

Threader floss is a special kind of dental floss with a stiffened, waxed end. Rather than holding the floss with both hands and maneuvering it around your mouth, threader floss only requires one hand. Simply guide the end between your teeth or around orthodontic appliances to remove trapped plaque and bacteria. 

Many types of threader floss are soft and spongy, making the experience more comfortable and reducing the risk of gum irritation. Because it’s easier to use than traditional dental floss, threader floss may be a better choice for young children who haven’t developed the dexterity necessary for other options.

4. Dental Tape

Dental tape is similar to thread floss, but wider and flatter, like a ribbon. The flossing process is the same, but many people find it more comfortable. Plus, the wider tape is better for those with sensitive gums or wide gaps between their teeth, covering more surface area than thinner floss. However, it may not be able to squeeze into especially tight spaces. 

Ensuring a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles

At the office of Eric Felt DDS, we’re committed to ensuring you have everything you need to maintain your happy, healthy smile. Whether you need emergency dental care, a simple cleaning, or advice on which dental floss alternative is best for you, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.