Why Dentist

Treating and Avoiding Bad Breath

When we wake up in the morning we habitually keep our mouth clamped shut till we have a moment to brush and rinse away the distasteful odor lingering on our breath.  But for some, that persistent morning breath lingers long after brushing and can worsen as the day wears on.

The good news? Bad breath is easily treatable and often avoided. Prominent NYC dentist, Dr. Lee Gause, DDS of the Smile Design Manhattan offers his tips to tackle even the worst breath.

Avoiding Bad Breath

• Flossing is essential to good hygiene and imperative to avoiding bad breath.
• Not skipping meals is key. Eating helps get rid of bacteria on the tongue and stimulates the washing action of saliva that helps avoid bad breath.
• Constant snacking is bad for oral hygiene and breath since your saliva doesn’t have time in between meals to wash away food naturally.
• Mints add fuel to the fire by increasing the amount of sugar in solution in the mouth which literally feeds the bacteria that causes bad breath.

Treating Bad Breath

• After eating, clean the mouth by brushing or rinsing with mouthwash to help prevent bad breath.
• Drink water regularly- this helps saliva to wash away bacteria.
• Regular cleanings with a dentist or dental hygienist are mandatory. Try to visit the dentist twice a year to maximize prevention.
• Sugarless gums, likeTrident,Dentyne, orOrbitz are actually good for teeth. These chewing gums increase salivary flow which has a bathing or cleansing effect on the teeth. However, be careful! Excessive gum chewing can cause TMJ (Tempromandibular Joint) pain and clicking.
• Most people don’t know that thereis more than one kind of dental cleaning. If a person has persistent halitosis a deep cleaning (usually takes 2 to 4 visits and requires numbing) may be needed to remove tartar under the gums
• Although mouthwash is a good option immediately after eating it does not have a long lasting effect on bad breath. Instead, try rinsing with hydrogen peroxide , which completely cures bad breath for some people. Mix 1 part water with 1 part hydrogen peroxide and add a little baking soda and sea salt. Rinse for 30 seconds and spit. Be very careful not to swallow. Try this routine twice a day to eliminate bad breath.

About Dr. Lee Gause, DDS

Dr. Gause’s dedication to superior dentistry is evident not only in patient care but through his credentials, awards won and continued education. As a member of various dental associations including the ADA, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists, International College of Oral Implantologists and New York Invisalign Study Group, Dr. Gause continues to educate himself in the latest technologies and procedures.

Dr Gause is also the recipient of several prestigious awards including “2006 Recognition for Lecturing to Young Dentists,” presented by Health and Hospitals Corporation, “Oral Biology Award,” from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and “Graduating Dentist Award: Exemplary Character and Highest Level of Clinical Skill” and “Best in Residency Award,” given by Howard University.

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Why People Suffer From Dental Phobia

Dental phobia is the serious, often paralyzing fear of seeking dental care. A very reliable source of survey report says that 50% of the American population does not go for regular dental care. An estimated 9-15% of the American people stay away from much needed care due to anxiety and fear surrounding the dental experience.

This can have serious ramifications on ones overall and especially general health. Unhealthy gums and teeth can definitely affect one’s speech. One’s self esteem can also suffer a lot if the person feels insecure about his breath and smile. This can obviously lead to various limitations in one’s social and business environments.

But why do people suffer from such dental phobia? There are certain reasons why people are so scared of visiting a dentist. The reason could be any of the following:

Bad experiences: The most common cause for dental phobia is some previous bad some dental experiences. This not only includes painful dental visits, but also psychological behaviors such as being ill treated by a dentist.

Uncaring dentist: It is often believed that even among dental professionals, that it is the fear of pain that keeps people from visiting a dentist. But if pain is the major concern for people then why should people not run to a dentist to get rid of acute toothache? It is rather the fear of pain inflicted by a dentist, which has a huge psychological impact.

Humiliation: Another big cause of dental phobia include insensitive, humiliating remarks by a dentist or hygienist. In fact, insensitive remarks and the intense feelings of humiliation they provoke are one of the main factors, which can cause or contribute to a dental phobia.

Vicarious learning: Another cause is observational learning. If a parent or any other family member is scared of dentists, kids easily pick up on this and learn that it is normal to be scared of dentists, even in the absence of bad experiences. Sometimes also, hearing other people’s horror stories makes children stay away from the dental care visits.

Post-Traumatic Stress: Research suggests that people who’ve had horrific dental experience suffer from symptoms typically reported by people with post-traumatic stress disorder. This is characterized by intrusive thoughts of the bad experience and nightmares about dentists or dental situations.

Most of the people suffer from an unknown fear dental phobia which stops them from visiting a dentist, even when they need it most. Manhattan Dental Spa is well aware of this problem, and takes care of its patients so that they do not develop any unnecessary dental phobia. For further information please visit our site www.manhattandentalspa.com

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