Safeguard Your Smile

Seemingly minor problems such as bad breath and canker sores not only cause embarrassment and discomfort, they may also signal more serious health concerns. In fact, studies suggest that the bacteria that contribute to bad breath and gum disease also raise the risk of heart disease and stroke. Read on to learn what's behind oral-health problems, plus the simple, health-enhancing solutions. Bad breath The cause: Poor oral health-care habits are a major factor in halitosis-infrequent brushing and flossing allow the buildup of oral bacteria that produce stinky sulfur byproducts, explains Kimberly Harms, DDS, an American Dental Association (ADA) consumer adviser in Farmington, Minn. Anything that dries out the mouth, such as alcohol or caffeine, so can not leave less than fresh breath, since saliva works to rinse clean teeth of problem-causing bacteria, and it naturally contains antibacterial agents. The fix: Floss daily and use a fluoride toothpaste that does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a harsh foaming agent that dries the mouth, says Harold Katz, DDS, founder of the California Breath Clinics in Los Angeles. One SLS-free paste to try: Rembrandt Canker Sore Toothpaste. So, drink plenty of water, and if you use mouthwash, choose an alcohol-free one (such as Crest Pro-Health Rinse). For an instant fix, chew sugarless gum. The act of chewing stimulates saliva production, and gum that is free of sugar will not feed bacteria. Canker sores The cause: Unlike cold sores, canker sores (whitish bumps that occur inside your mouth) are not contagious. In fact, experts are not sure what causes them. But they do know that sores can be triggered by anything from allergies to hormonal changes to brushing too vigorously, says Harms. The fix: Antibacterial mouthwashes can help disinfect your mouth and may also speed the healing process. Beware of products that contain alcohol, which can sting tender sores. And avoid citrus fruits and other acidic foods that can make pain worse. If you get frequent canker sores, ask your dentist about trying a prescription-only mouthwash that contains lidocaine (a numbing agent), Benadryl (to ease inflammation) and Kaopectate (which helps the mixture coat the inside of your mouth). Note: If a canker sore lingers for more than two weeks, see your dentist to rule out more serious concerns, such as oral cancer. Tooth grinding The cause: Typically brought on by stress and anxiety, tooth grinding often happens at night when you're asleep, and unaware. In fact, most grinders do not realize they're doing it until their bed partner hears the sound and tells them so, says Harms. If you suspect you're a grinder, watch for side effects such as chipped or loose teeth, worn enamel, jaw soreness and headaches. The fix: Practice relaxation exercises such as meditation or simple yoga stretches before bed to help alleviate stress. If that does not work, ask your dentist about getting a custom-made night guard that fits comfortably over your teeth. "When you're wearing a night guard, push your teeth into a soft, forgiving plastic surface, instead of grinding tooth on tooth," Harms says. Tooth sensitivity The cause: Gingivitis and too-aggressive brushing can cause gum lines to recede, leaving once-protected sensitive tooth surfaces vulnerable to hot, cold and sugary foods and drinks. Another culprit: teeth whitening products that contain baking soda and / or peroxide. Frequent use can temporarily sensitizes teeth and expose underlying dentinal tubules, channels that lead to the tooth's nerve center. If twinges are isolated to one tooth, you may have a cavity, a loose filling, a cracked tooth or nerve damage. The fix: Regular brushing, flossing and cleanings can help prevent or reverse gingivitis. When brushing, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and do not press too hard. So, invest in a desensitizing toothpaste with the ADA seal, such as Orajel Sensitive Pain Relieving Toothpaste. "They have ingredients that clog up tubules and protect nerve endings," says Harms. If you suspect a cavity, or any oral-health problem you can not resolve on your own, see your dentist. Early treatment can save you unnecessary pain and expense. Safeguard Your Smile How to nix four common oral complaints. Lambeth Hochwald More * Hollywood's Best Kept Secrets Weight Loss * 2-minute exercise video for Total-Body Toning * The Best Jeans for Real Bodies * Eating secrets of a woman who lost 105 pounds * 10 Ways to Beat bloating Cavity-free does not necessarily mean worry-free when it comes to oral health: Seemingly small problems such as bad breath and cancer wounds not only cause painful and uncomfortable, but they can also signal serious problems. In fact, studies indicate that the bacteria bad breath and gum disease, but also to help raise the risk of heart disease and stroke. Find out what's behind oral-health problems, and the simple, healthy solutions. Bad breath The reason: poor oral health habits are an important factor in bad breath, brush and floss often enable the development of bacteria in the mouth producing that smelly sulfur by-products, said Kimberly Harms, DDS, an American Dental Association (ADA) consumer advisor in Farmington, Minn. All that dries the mouth, may leave as alcohol or caffeine, less than fresh breath because saliva is made to clean the teeth flush problem causing bacteria, and it naturally contains anti-bacterial agents. The fix: Floss daily and use a fluoride toothpaste does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a hard-foaming agent that dries the mouth, says Harold Katz, DDS, founder of California Breath Clinics in Los Angeles. An SLS-free paste to try: Rembrandt Canker Sore Toothpaste. Drinking too much water, and if you use mouthwash, choose a soft one (like Crest Pro-Health) rinsing. To resolve for a moment, chewing sugarless gum. The act of chewing stimulates the production of saliva and chewing gum is sugar free, nor will feed bacteria. Cancer Wounds The reason: Unlike cold sores, cancer sores (whitish bumps that can occur in your mouth) are not infectious. In fact, the experts are not sure what causes it. But they know that wounds can brush by anything from allergies to hormonal changes that trigger too much, says Harms. The fix: Antibacterial mouthwashes can disinfect the mouth and may also speed the healing process. Beware of products containing alcohol, the sting can include sores offer. And to avoid citrus fruits and other acidic foods can aggravate the pain. If you get cancer sores frequently, ask your dentist to try to one-prescription mouthwash that lidocaine (a numbing agent), Benadryl contains ((facilitate inflammation) and Kaopectate, the mixture helps to coat the inside of the mouth). Note: If a cancer sore lingers for more than two weeks, see your dentist usually more serious concerns, such as oral cancer. Teeth grinding The cause: usually caused by stress and anxiety, teeth grinding, often at night when you are asleep and unaware placed. In fact, that most of the mills, that they do it to listen to her bed partner the tone and told them so, "says Harms. If you suspect you're a wolf, watch for side effects, such as broken or loose teeth, worn enamel, jaw pain and headaches. The update to help: Practice relaxation exercises such as meditation or simple yoga exercises before bedtime, reduce stress. If that does not work, ask your dentist about a custom-made night-watchman, that fits comfortably over your teeth. "If you are wearing a night watchman, your teeth shift into a soft, forgiving plastic surface, instead of grinding tooth on tooth," says Harms. Tooth Sensitivity The cause: gingivitis and overly aggressive brushing can gum line and back again shall protect sensitive surfaces cause tooth susceptible to heat, cold and sugary foods and drinks. Another culprit: Tooth whitening products, baking powder and / or hydrogen peroxide contained. Frequent use can sensitize temporarily teeth and underlying share underlying dentin, channels that cause nerve center of the tooth. If stitches are isolated to one tooth, you can create a cave, a loose filling, a cracked tooth or have nerve damage. The fix: Regular brushing, flossing and cleanings can prevent or reverse gingivitis. When brushing, use a soft bristle toothbrush and do not press too hard. Also invest in a desensitizing toothpaste with the ADA seal, such as Orajel Sensitive Toothpaste pain. "They have ingredients that clog the tubules and protect the nerve endings," says Harms. If you have a cave or an oral-health problem we can not expect to solve on your own, visit your dentist. Early treatment can you unnecessary pain and expense.