In an earlier blog post The Battle Against Bad Breath, I talked primarily about food and poor oral hygiene as the culprits. Someone asked for more detail about bad breath causes and what can be done about it, so I’m providing a more in-depth answer this time, including some causes that must be treated by other medical professionals. Causes of halitosis (the medical term for bad breath) can be:

•    Food – Spicy foods, such as those containing onion and garlic, can’t really be covered up with tooth brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash after the meal. Those measures only help to a degree. That’s because many foods stay in the body for 72 hours or more, are absorbed by other body tissues, and continue to make their presence known on the breath. Believe it or not, garlic rubbed on the soles of your feet can eventually show up on your breath!  Even coffee can often be smelled on the breath days after you drink it.

Even if you avoid the types of food that leave lingering breath odor, foods with little or no odor can also be a major cause of bad breath. Aside from causing tooth decay, any food particles left behind by poor oral hygiene begin decaying and can produce bacteria that cause bad breath odors.  To help ensure that this isn’t your problem, your oral hygiene regimen may need to include brushing not only the teeth, but also the tongue, gums, and roof of your mouth – any place that food and beverage residue can become trapped. Saliva is nature’s way of trying to wash away food particles in the mouth. So, if your mouth tends to be dry for some reason, you may need to be even more attentive to your oral hygiene and food particle removal than most other people.

•    Common oral diseases – I’ve mentioned dry mouth (xerostomia) as one condition that can lead to halitosis. Certain medications, radiation treatments, or even skipping meals can all be causes of a dry mouth condition.

Periodontal (gum) disease is another cause of bad breath. In periodontal disease, plaque – a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth – can build up and cause gum irritation that results in inflammation, receding gums, and even damage to underlying bone tissue. Good oral hygiene, rinsing with anti-bacterial mouthwashes, and regular dental exams and cleanings are the best defenses against periodontal disease.

There are some special dental products, such as CloSYS, that are especially effective at combating the sulfonamides that develop from bacterial growth in the mouth. A reputable comprehensive dentistry provider can help you bring these dental conditions and diseases under control, and also help you decide what dental hygiene products and procedures you can use at home to manage or avoid the disease.

•    ENT infections – Ear, nose, throat, and sinus (ENT) infections, because of their close proximity to the mouth, can be another cause of bad breath. These should generally create only a short-term problem, clearing up when the infection does. However, some conditions, such as sinusitis and bronchitis, can be chronic and result in a persistent problem with bad breath until the condition is alleviated. Talk with your dentist about any problem with bad breath that you are experiencing. By discussing the problem during your regular check-up, you and your dentist may be able to more quickly pinpoint the most likely cause, and you can see a medical professional if an ENT infection seems to be the culprit.

•    Problems with major organs – There’s a natural tendency for all of us to assume that bad breath is caused by something in or in close proximity to the mouth. When we’ve eliminated some of the other causes discussed above, it’s important to consider other causes, such as problems with other body organs. Issues with lungs, liver, stomach, and kidneys can all result in an outgassing of bacteria or other abnormal by-products that are vented from the body on your breath.

A comprehensive dentistry provider is your first line of defense in both identifying and treating oral health issues, and can point you to other medical professionals who may need to be involved. Don’t be afraid to ask if you have a concern – tens of millions of people share this problem. If the source of the problem isn’t obvious to your dentist during a regular check-up, he may ask you to return for a follow-up to further discuss and evaluate the problem. It is only logical to start by assessing the oral health possibilities because dentists receive special training on the potential causes of halitosis.

For more information on comprehensive dentistry or halitosis, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

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If you were to walk out on the street and ask what the biggest benefit of teeth whitening is, you’d likely find that 8 out of every 10 people would answer whiter, brighter teeth and a beautiful smile. But, what is the true value of that smile? Not in reference to how much one would be willing to pay for a treatment that works. What are the benefits of this treatment that go beyond the color of a patient’s teeth to impact all other aspects of their life.

A New Outlook on Life…

Smiling does a lot more than just move the muscles in our face; it changes the way we see the world and the way the world sees you. Simply by contracting those muscles and showing a beautiful white smile, we instantly feel more attractive. As a result, so does everyone else. This attraction doesn’t just mean to the opposite sex either. When we feel attractive, we give off that confidence and positive energy that automatically draws others towards us. A teeth whitening treatment is one of the easiest ways to improve your teeth so that you are less reserved when it comes to showing them off.

The World Looks a Whole Lot Better…

How many times have you been down, frustrated, or anxious about something only to have someone smile at you? And before you knew it, you were smiling too. When we aren’t afraid to smile, others will smile more at us, and the world will take on a more positive feel for everyone. Because stained enamel often gets in the way of this, a teeth whitening treatment is often the best solution.

You’ll find your emotional state also begins to improve. When the world looks happier, we feel happier and all of the trials and headaches are just a whole lot easier to deal with. You can feel the stress leave your body and all of the negative feelings with it. Try it for yourself and see.

When your smile doesn’t shine as brightly as it should and you are in need of a teeth whitening treatment, you’ll find these benefits don’t come as easily to you. Once you start showing off those pearly whites, however, you’ll notice you feel happier, those around you are happier, problems don’t seem as large, and you might even feel healthier. Never underestimate the power of a great smile that’s used often!

For More Information on Teeth Whitening contact Dr. Robert Williamson Today!

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When asked about the benefits of Invisalign, many people will say straight teeth or a healthy-looking smile. Yes. There is no doubt these are benefits, but the real perks of this treatment go much farther than that. In fact, its effects can run much deeper and last a lifetime.

Self-Esteem

When a patient has a miss-aligned smile, they know it. They see it and spend hours worrying about. They remember it when they smile or laugh. They think about it when meeting someone new. They may become terribly uncomfortable as soon as a camera comes out. When you consider how many times you might encounter these situations in a day, you’ll quickly come to realize that those with a miss-aligned smile worry an awful lot.

Once the Invisalign treatment is complete, they can go through these seemingly simple things without worry. There’s no more trying to hide their smile or staring in the mirror wishing things would be different. They can hold their head up and begin to truly enjoy themselves and feel better about their appearance because of it.

Confidence

Not far behind a lack of self-esteem comes the result of that issue: a lack of confidence. When someone is self-conscious about their teeth, they may often feel inadequate towards others. This single feeling leads to a whole host of missed opportunities and second guesses. It’s a sad fact, but in a society that places outward beauty so high on the scale of importance, it makes up a large portion of our self-worth.

With an Invisalign treatment and straight teeth, these patients see themselves and the world in a whole new light. ‘If only’ becomes a thing of the past, and suddenly they feel like they can ‘compete’ with the rest of the world. They don’t worry whether or not they’ll get the job, if the person they’ve had their eye on will ask them out, or whether they should wear a certain outfit.

Invisalign does more than invisibly straighten teeth. Patients receive a new smile, a new outlook on life, and new opportunities they didn’t know they had. It’s much more than a dental treatment; it’s a life changing experience.

For More Information on Invisalign Contact Dr. Robert Williamson Today!

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Teeth whiteners, Bleaching, dental veneers, braces…There is a reason why millions of people actively seek reputable cosmetic dentists and are willing to invest the time, energy and money it will take to get their teeth looking beautiful.  It all boils down to confidence.

First Impressions are Lasting Impressions

When you meet someone for the first time, what is the first thing you typically notice about them?  For some people, it’s the eyes- but for a lot of people, it’s the teeth.  Your teeth are bound to be noticed because when you are speaking to someone or in front of a group, all eyes are on you.

As America trudges along through these slower economic times, this means that more people will be looking for work, making career changes and going on interviews.  Interviews in and of themselves are nerve racking anyway, which is why looking your best is so important.  After all, first impressions leave lasting ones; and the last impression you want to leave with a potential employer is the thought: “I’m not sure whether they were qualified or not for the job because I was so distracted by their teeth!”  Trust me; while it may not necessarily be ethical, it’s happened before.

We put braces on to straighten our teeth.  We sometimes even have teeth extracted so that we can achieve an overall aesthetically pleasing smile that doesn’t look overcrowded and jagged.  And some of us alter our smiles simply because there is a pending medical reason requiring us to do so or because it is somehow negatively impacting the way in which we are able to speak.

Being able to speak clearly is extremely important in today’s society.  If someone cannot understand you because you are not speaking clearly, then ideas become muddled and things get miss-communicated, which can cause problems.  Have you ever noticed there is a correlation of confidence between those who have a beautiful smile versus those who do not?  They exude confidence.  If you feel like your smile could use a boost, talk to your dentist and discuss your options.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

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Being told that you need to have a tooth extracted is a sore subject (no pun intended) for many people. This is most often the case when it comes to having your wisdom teeth taken out (as so many of us do). Let’s explore the issue some more though.

What Happens During an Extraction & Why Do I Need to Have One?

Without being too graphic, a tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone. Usually, whenever you have a cavity or some other type of damage to your tooth that’s the result of decay, the dentist will try to fix it by filling in the cavity or using a crown or doing a root canal. However, sometimes the damage is simply beyond repair which means that the tooth needs to come out. The reason that you cannot simply leave the tooth in is because the already infected tooth can actually spread bacteria to the rest of your mouth as well as to your gums, thus getting into your blood stream and making you sick.

There are also several other reasons that your dentist may suggest a tooth extraction:

• Overcrowding: Sometimes extractions are necessary due to “overcrowding” in your mouth (ie. you have a lot of teeth and a tiny mouth).
• People Getting Braces: Sometimes teeth need to be extracted to make room for teeth that will be shifting.
• People Receiving Radiation Treatment: Any teeth blocking the radiation may need to be removed.
• Wisdom Teeth: At times, wisdom teeth may become impacted under the gums, causing pain to the individual. Additionally, because they are so far back in the mouth, wisdom teeth tend to decay-at which point they must be removed- otherwise you risk gum disease as well as other health-related issues due to bacteria entering your blood stream.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

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Ondontophobia. Dentophobia. Dentist Phobia. All of these things boil down to one issue: the fear or anxiety someone feels regarding dentistry.

Fact: Women tend to report more dental fear than men.

Fact: People tend to report being more fearful of more invasive procedures, such as oral surgery, than they are of less invasive treatment, such as professional dental cleanings. (Wikipedia)

How Does it Develop?

Like most other things that people fear or have phobias with, dental phobia usually arises after a person experiences some sort of trauma during a dentist visit. More often than not, this fear is associated with hearing about other people’s traumatic experiences with the dentist. And perhaps not unsurprisingly, dental phobia is very real, affecting millions of people each year which has led to it being one of the top fears resonating among the population today.

So, What are Dentists Doing About It?

According to Wikipedia, there are two ways in which most dentists “treat” individuals who have a fear of the dentist. The first is by using behavioral treatments. Behavioral treatments include any of the following:

• Relaxation Techniques (deep breathing, relaxing the muscles)
• Cognitive Techniques (guided imagery, thinking relaxing thoughts)
• Systematic Desensitization (gradual exposure- aka: gradually introducing the objects feared)

The other way that dentists handle individuals who are fearful is through pharmacological techniques. Some examples of these include the following:

• Mild Sedation to General Anesthesia
• Oxide (aka: laughing gas)
• Oral Sedatives (ie. benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Valium and Halcion)

If you find yourself among those who have a fear of going to the dentist, do yourself a favor and contact your dentist!  Talk to him or her about it, and find out what the best solution is going to be for you.  After speaking with your dentist, you’ll typically find that it’s not so bad after all.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

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Many people are unaware that below the enamel, your teeth are composed of dark colored dentin.  As you age the natural enamel of your teeth begins to wear thing, gradually exposing the darker dentin underneath.  To complicate matters all varieties of food and beverages can stain the enamel of your teeth.  Soda’s acidic properties can almost completely destroy enamel, and even food like blueberries can leave lasting stains on teeth.  Smoking and red wine are well known culprits of teeth stains as well.

The question for some is: “What do I do when my teeth no longer look their whitest?”  For others the question may not be a matter of mere cosmetics, but rather they may be struggling to know what to do when their teeth have become seriously corroded.  In both situations there is a hope.  Dental veneers have become increasingly popular over the years, and they provide a wonderful cosmetic solution to teeth that no longer look their best.  The veneer is essentially a thin tooth like material that works as an outer shell for the front of your teeth.  If you see your cosmetic dentist they will assess your situation, and most likely make a model that will then be used as the foundation for your veneers.  This part of the process is often done by a dental technician.

Veneers provide a long lasting solution to the everyday effects of age, foods, and cigarettes that work to take away the vitality of our smiles.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

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Everyone wants to have a nice smile, but sometimes the foods we eat can cause discoloration and stains to occur.  The big culprits are coffee, cigarettes, and red wine, but there are others to watch for also.  One concern can come from fluoride, or rather too much fluoride. An over abundance of fluoride in your diet, especially as a child can cause white, chalk like, discoloration of the teeth.

Even medications can turn change the color of your teeth.  Certain antibiotics can cause your teeth to become yellow, and minocycline can even cause your teeth to become a permanent gray-blue.  Even some antihistamines can cause discoloration.

Your age may be another factor if your smile has become less then pearly white.  As you age the enamel of your teeth gradually wears away exposing more of the underlying brownish-yellow layers below the enamel.  Also root canals, and infections can lead to discoloration of the tooth.

Even some fruits can cause stains on your teeth.  Blueberries, and cranberries, among others, can leave pigment behind on your teeth, and even soy sauce can leave your smile shades darker.

You must remember that the best way to fight off staining is by brushing and flossing regularly.  If, however, you are seeking a more permanent solution to the discoloration of your teeth you can always opt for veneers, or whitening treatments at your cosmetic dentist’s office.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

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Have you ever wondered if you might be suffering from a tooth infection?  Well to start with you should know that there are three different kinds of infection.

The first kind is an infection in the pulp tissue of the tooth it self which is usually caused by tooth decay.  Typically your body can fight infection with antibiotics or through your own white blood cells, however in a tooth this is not the case and once a tooth become infected the pulp will die.  It is for this reason that the much dreaded, and often little understood root canal must take place.  During a root canal the pulp of the tooth is replaced by a material that will not become infected.

Another infection is a gum infection.  When your gums become infected your body has a difficult time killing the infection which can result in the infection listed below.  Gum infections require massive amounts of tricky cleaning.

The next kind of infection is called an abscess and occurs to the bone at the end of the tooth.  Dead tissue within your tooth provides a constant source of bacteria to the bone thus making it difficult for your body to overcome.  In this case you again would need a root canal, since the damage from an abscess can become widespread without  treatment.

Infections can be treated, but after reading the above doesn’t it just seems that prevention is the best medicine?

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

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Bad breath can come from several sources, but one major culprit is food.  We all know the usual food suspects that cause bad breath, but why?  The answer is that the food you eat gets absorbed into your bloodstream where it transfers to your lungs.  The fact of the matter is that you can only completely eliminate this type of bad breath once your body disposes of the food that caused it. Another culprit of halitosis is bacteria.  When food stays in your mouth it can become a breeding ground of bacteria that omits a fowl odor.  Dry mouth can also cause bad breath since saliva that is needed to clean your mouth becomes sparse and thus bacteria again forms from existing food particles.

One of the warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease is persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth. Periodontal disease is caused by plaque, the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. The bacteria create toxins that irritate the gums. In the advanced stage of the disease, the gums, bone and other structures that support the teeth become damaged. With regular dental checkups, your dentist can detect and treat periodontal disease early. (Source ADA)

It is further good to know that bad breath can be symptomatic of a deeper underlying medical issue.  Infections and other maladies can cause a fowl odor to omit from your mouth that has less to do with oral health, and much more to do with your overall health.  In situations like these your dentist will likely refer you to your primary care physician.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

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