How to Stop and Prevent Bad Breath!

Ever wonder if you are one of those people everyone avoids getting close to because your breath is awful? Kick your bad breath anxiety to the curb!  Glacier Dental wants to help you to speak confidently.

Bad breath, also called Halitosis, varies depending on the source or cause and is quite difficult to detect on your own. We recommend asking a family member, close friend, or better yet your dentist to offer a confirmation on the matter. Many times your bad breath remedy calls for a simple commitment to your oral healthcare routine. Focus on your hygiene habits, brush your teeth and tongue twice a day, be sure to floss once a day to remove any debris between your teeth, and drink plenty of water and pay attention to your diet. If there is no improvement following your increased attention to your home care it is time to visit your dentist to see what the underlying cause may be.

There are many different causes leading to bad breath including, food, tobacco products, poor oral hygiene, dry mouth, infection in mouth, medications, or various systemic diseases so it is very important to to detect the root cause. The dentist may discover you have gum disease. Gum disease causes the gums to pull away from your teeth allowing pockets to collect bacteria. A professional cleaning will be recommended to remove that bacteria getting you back on track to crisp clean breath. The dentist may also find that decay is the cause of your bad breath in which the proper restoration will be recommended. Other recommendations if it is due to an oral health issue may be a prescription mouthwash or toothpaste. If your bad breath is not linked to an oral health issue your dentist may refer you to your primary care physician for it may be linked to a serious overall health condition.

A few additional tips to keep your breath fresh:

• Brush your teeth after eating.
• Brush your tongue.
• FLOSS
• Clean your Dentures or other Dental Appliances 
• Avoid Dry Mouth
• Stick to a healthy diet. Limit the sticky, sugary foods.
• Replace your toothbrush regularly.
• Schedule regular dental Check Ups.

It's time to speak confidently and stop relying on mints and gum to mask your bad breath! 

Why do I need a crown?

Glacier Dental of Oshkosh was one of the first dental offices in Wisconsin to have an E4D. What does that mean to you? Well, this state-of-the-art technology allows the doctors to design a crown for our patients in one day. That means, only one visit for you!

Now the question may be, what exactly is a crown and why are they needed? A dental crown is basically a "cap" that is placed over a tooth after the Doctor removes any decay or poor tooth structure. It is tooth-colored and looks just like every other tooth. It helps restore the original tooth's strength, shape and size.

There are several instances when a patient may need a crown and a few include: to help protect a weak tooth that may be cracked, to fix a tooth that may have a piece broken off, if a cavity is too large and there isn't much tooth structure left a crown may be the best/only option, crowns can be used for cosmetic work to make a tooth visually look better or to cover up yellowing, or crowns are used when a dental implant is done.

Throughout the crown process, the doctors of Glacier Dental will gladly answer any questions you may have. The patient is also numb throughout the process and will only feel pressure from the Doctor working on the tooth. The doctor will then use a 3D imaging camera to take pictures of your tooth and use the E4D software to design a crown that will function perfectly in your tooth.

The newly designed crown will then be made in office out of a piece of ceramic, and while this is happening, the Doctor will prep the tooth and get it ready for the crown to be bonded to the remaining tooth structure in your mouth. Sometimes there may not be enough tooth structure for the crown and a buildup is needed. A buildup is made up of resin, or the material a dentist would use to fill a cavity, and gives the tooth more of a base to place the crown on.

Finally the Doctor will bond the crown to your existing tooth/buildup and adjust it so your bite is back to normal. After your appointment, you'll be able to eat and drink right away...that is..as long as you're not too numb!

A recent Glacier Dental patient had a crown done and said, "It's not as bad as I thought. There was great new technology and Dr. Steckbauer was very knowledgeable and made me very comfortable. It is important to take care of your teeth and Glacier Dental is a great place to be. You'll be in good hands." This same patient mentioned that prior to his appointment, he was extremely nervous and found any dental work to be uncomfortable because of his arthritis. But after the appointment, he realized it wasn't bad at all.

If you're concerned about a tooth that is broken, giving you pain or just doesn't feel right, give Glacier Dental of Oshkosh a call 920-235-3251! We'd be more than happy to schedule a consultation with you and go over any treatment you may need.

3 Steps to Improve you Child's Dental Health.

February is Children's National Dental Health Month which hosts the perfect opportunity to to focus on the importance of those little mouths.

It's easy to fall under to conception that baby teeth do not matter all that much because they will soon fall out; however, that is far from the truth! The American Dental Association recommends that the first dental visit take place within 6 months after a child's first tooth erupts, or by the age of 1. Not only does this ensure that the child's mouth begins on a healthy journey, it also provides a familiar environment decreasing a potential fear to develop.

Did you know?

• Tooth Decay is the MOST COMMON childhood disease.
• 3 out of 5 children are affected by tooth decay.
• Tooth decay in children is 5 times more common than asthma.
• 51 MILLION HOURS of school are missed each year due to oral disease.
• Every $1 spent on oral care prevention can save $8-$50 on emergency and restorative procedures

Here are 3 things you can do to improve your child's dental health.

1.  Limit the amount of sugary candies, drinks, or desserts a day  to 1-2 per day. The number of times sugar is in the mouth as opposed to the quantity is the number one factor in tooth decay.

2.  Help them with brushing.  Focus on where the teeth and gums come together and physically help them with brushing for 2 minutes, twice a day, until the age of 6 to ensure a proper cleaning.

3. Control the time with a sippy cup or bottle. Sipping from a sippy cup or bottle all day continually bathes the teeth in sugar. Limit the use to mealtime and avoid letting your child fall asleep with them.

The great news is tooth decay is almost entirely preventable with proper home care and regular 6 month continuous care visits! If you are looking for a compassionate dentist to provide individual care to your family, call Glacier Dental today, 920.235.3251!