Breath Bad? Try These Tips

More than 90 million people in the U.S. suffer with chronic halitosis. Although the problem for some of these folks goes deeper than sucking on a breath mint and increasing their effort at oral hygiene, there are some simple steps that can help remedy the problem.

Brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth.

Bad breath is often caused by decaying food particles trapped between teeth. However, often the resulting bacteria gets trapped in the film that accumulates on the tongue. Keep your tongue clean and pink and you’ll cut down on the places that odor-causing bacteria can hide.

Chew gum.

A dry mouth is bad breath’s best friend, while saliva is its mortal enemy. Chewing gum keeps the saliva glands producing and the resulting saliva washes away the bacteria that cause bad breath. Of course, sugarless gum is your best bet.

Chew cinnamon gum.

Unlike other flavors, cinnamon is not just a cover-up. Studies indicate that the flavor actually has properties that kill the bacteria that cause bad breath.

Drink more water.

Keeping hydrated is an important step to reducing halitosis. Along the same lines as chewing gum to maintain saliva production, you need adequate hydration in order for the saliva glands to function properly in the first place.

Eat an adequate amount of carbohydrates.

A side effect of a low-carb diet is the production of ketones, which have an unpleasant odor and are released by the body through the breath.

Lastly, don't let bad breath go to your head.

A disproportionately high number of people walk around thinking that they have bad breath when they don’t. If you think your breath is bad, get an opinion from someone you trust before attempting to fix something that isn’t broken. It’s nearly impossible to determine the quality of your own breath. 

For questions about dentures, dental implants, periodontal disease or general dentistry including accelerated orthodontics, call the Ferber Dental Group a 561-439-8888 or visit http://www.ferberdental.com.

Flossing 101

Proper flossing removes plaque and food particles in places where a toothbrush can’t easily reach: under the gum line and between teeth. Because the build up of plaque is fast and can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, daily flossing is integral to maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

To receive the maximum benefits of flossing, use the following technique.

1) Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two between your fingers to work with.

2) Holding the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up and down between your teeth.

3) Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gum line. Never snap or force the floss, which can cut or bruise delicate gum tissue.

4) As you move from tooth to tooth, use clean sections of floss.

5) To remove the floss from between teeth, use the same gentle back-and-forth motion described in No. 2 above, but in the opposite direction.

Practically since floss was invented, there has been discussion about whether to brush prior to flossing or afterward. At the Ferber Dental Group, we’ve settled the controversy. We recommend brushing before and after. Brushing before cleans the teeth of the major particles, preparing the mouth for flossing to get to the tiny particles and plaque build up, and brushing afterward tidies up anything that might have been missed.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

How to Select a Dentist

Although most people select a new dentist through referral of a friend, family, their former dentist or their insurance company, there’s a list of questions you should ask before making your final decision.

• How long has the dentist been in practice? There’s no right or wrong answer to this one; it really depends on your comfort level. Some patients may prefer a dentist with many years of experience under his belt while others may opt for a newer dentist with perhaps a more progressive approach to her practice. Either way, you should research your dentist’s experience and make sure it fits your expectations.
• Will the practice work with your insurance company to maximize benefits? If insurance is a concern, you’ll need a dentist who either accepts your plan or assists you in filing for reimbursement. Don’t rule out a dentist just because he is not on your insurance plan. In many cases, the dentist you want may be able to help you get reimbursement from your insurance company ever though he doesn’t directly take your insurance.
• What education and certifications does the dentist have? Dentists often have specialties. If you are searching for a dentist with a specific specialty, you should look to see if he is trained in this specific field of dentistry.
• Does the dentist often offer different options for treatment? Some dentists are old school and it’s their way or the highway. Progressive dentistry often involves options in which the patient can weigh in.
• Is the dentist available for after-hours emergency treatment? If you lose a crown during dinner, it’s a lot more comforting to know that your regular dentist will treat you and not someone new who’s on call for emergencies.

For questions about dentures, dental implants, periodontal disease or general dentistry, call the Ferber Dental Group a 561-439-8888 or visit http://www.ferberdental.com.

Strongest Teeth in the World

We at the Ferber Dental Group don’t condone what’s depicted in the following YouTube videos, but we have to admit that they’re pretty entertaining. Take a peek and see if you agree. These people’s teeth are incredible!

In this first vintage clip, a guy literally pulls an airplane along the tarmac with his teeth. Yes, it’s on wheels. Yes, he gets the plane moving with help from his hands. But, c’mon, this is amazing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NzTJlSr1Oc

Video 2 is of an early episode of America’s Got Talent. Watch this strongman balance and hold items in his teeth not meant to be even lifted off the ground. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZkymu6bXco

No. 3 is a hoot. This foreign made television commercial proves that nothing can stand between true love and strong teeth—including a cake as tough as a manhole cover. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQyCzQtY1NA

While the previous three clips are entertaining, this last one might make you cringe a bit. Don’t try this at home … or on the playground. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuWksgoE6pE

For questions about dentures, dental implants, periodontal disease or general dentistry including accelerated orthodontics, call the Ferber Dental Group a 561-439-8888 or visit http://www.ferberdental.com.

Floss or Water Pick? Electric Toothbrush or Manual? The Final Say

Is it more effective to floss teeth with a water pick or standard dental floss?

Standard dental floss is the most effective tool for cleaning the tight spaces between the teeth. You can also use dental floss to scrape up and down the sides of each tooth. An oral irrigator—or water pick—aims a stream of water at your teeth and is certainly a good supplemental hygiene method, as it helps to remove food particles and reduces bleeding gums, but it isn't generally considered a substitute for brushing and flossing.

One of the main complaints about flossing is that the floss gets stuck in the teeth. Waxed floss can help prevent this as well as using a floss holder.

Is an electric toothbrush better than a regular toothbrush?

Many people use manual toothbrushes quite effectively, but an electric toothbrush can be a great alternative, especially if you’re afflicted with arthritis or other conditions that make it difficult to brush well. The bristle movement of an electric toothbrush thoroughly removes plaque and improves the overall health of the gums.

When investing in an electric toothbrush, however, make sure it’s comfortable to hold and easy to use. If the brushing experience is not enjoyable, as is human nature, most people will cut back the amount of time they brush or avoid it altogether.

For questions about dentures, dental implants, periodontal disease or general dentistry including accelerated orthodontics, call the Ferber Dental Group a 561-439-8888 or visit http://www.ferberdental.com.

What Exactly is a Dental Lab?

When getting dentures or dental implants, a good deal of the process takes place out of the dentist’s office at a dental lab. The lab is where the prosthetic devices are fabricated. Trained technicians follow the dentist’s instructions and specifications via the patient's prescription.

The technician is highly skilled in color matching; following materials, type and design specifications; identifying defects on the impression received from the dentist; and controlling the handling of the appliance during delivery to reduce the possibility of infection.

Dental lab technicians must pass a state board examination as well as participate in continuing education to stay abreast of the newest in materials and procedures. Diligent dental groups will select dental labs based on the expertise of their lab technicians, working hand-in-hand with their lab partners to stay abreast of quickly evolving technical information about design or material makeup of the prosthetic appliance prescribed.

For questions about dentures, dental implants, periodontal disease or general dentistry including accelerated orthodontics, call the Ferber Dental Group a 561-439-8888 or visit http://www.ferberdental.com.

Eating Right for Healthy Teeth Means More than Avoidance of Unhealthy Foods: Top 10 Foods to Increase or Add to Your Diet

It’s a given that sugar-laden foods wreak havoc on teeth and require extra-vigilant hygiene to keep teeth healthy. But you can do more than avoid certain foods to help your smile. Following are 10 teeth-toughening foods to increase or add to your diet.

Celery

Because celery is coarse and requires a lot of chewing, eating it produces extra saliva, which neutralizes the bacteria that causes cavities. Additionally, chomping on naturally abrasive foods massages gums and cleans between teeth.

Cheese

With its low carbohydrate and high calcium and phosphate content, cheese helps balance the pH in your mouth, which decreases decay, preserves and rebuilds tooth enamel, and helps to produce saliva.

Green Tea

Green tea contains catechins that kill the bacteria in your mouth that turn sugar into plaque. Catechins also kill the bacteria that cause bad breath.

Kiwis

Kiwis pack more vitamin C than any other fruit and vitamin C is necessary to prevent the breakdown of collagen in your gums. Too little vitamin C is often a precursor to periodontal disease.

Onions

Onions contain powerful antibacterial sulfur compounds that kill the bacteria in your mouth associated with cavities and bad breath. Eating them raw is best.

Parsley and Mint

Great for bad breath, these herbs contain monoterpenes, volatile substances that travel quickly from your bloodstream to your lungs, where their odor is released via your breath. Best if eaten after a particularly pungent meal.

Sesame Seeds

Chewing sesame seeds is a great way to cleanse the teeth of plaque and help build tooth enamel. They’re also high in calcium, which helps preserve the bone around your teeth and gums.

Shiitake Mushrooms

The sugar found in abundance in shiitake mushrooms is a great plaque fighter. Like other teeth-toughening foods, raw is better than cooked.

Wasabi

The isothiocyanates in wasabi—those chemicals that provide the wicked bite in the Japanese root served often with sushi and sashimi—also inhibit the growth of cavity-causing bacteria.

Plain Old Water

Drinking water keeps your gums hydrated and is the best way to stimulate saliva production—your body's greatest defense against the bacteria that cause plaque and cavities. Rinsing your mouth with water also helps wash away trapped food particles that decompose in the mouth and cause bad breath.

For questions about dentures, dental implants, periodontal disease or general dentistry including accelerated orthodontics, call the Ferber Dental Group a 561-439-8888 or visit http://www.ferberdental.com.