Month: November 2024

No one wants a bad breath. Unfortunately, because of certain foods, almost everyone gets it at some point. Yes, you can always swish some mouthwash around to try to get rid of the smell, but that doesn’t always work.

It doesn’t make sense never to have these 10 foods and beverages that can give you bad breath, but if you have a date coming up, it might be best to avoid them. Let’s check out the list prepared by Elgin Family Dentist.

Top 10 Food Causing Bad Breath

We discussed this with Elgin Family Dentist, who helped us curate these ten bad breath causes.

1. Garlic
One of the most well-known foods that give people a bad breath is garlic. Most of the time, the stronger the garlic, the worse your breath smells. The substances that contain sulfur are thought to be the cause of this. The aftertaste of garlic can linger on your breath for quite a while if you consume a dish heavy in garlic.

2. Citrus fruits
The Elgin Family Dentist suggests eating citrus fruits as part of a balanced diet. However, certain acidic foods might create foul breath! People who have acid reflux should pay extra attention to this because the extra acid can make the back of their throat smell bad. Mouthwash can help with this.

3. Onions
Onions are used in so many foods, like soups, pasta, stews, and more. They can also make your breath smell bad. Acids found in onions contain sulfur, which is why they make your breath smell bad. If you want to avoid getting bad breath after eating onions, swish your mouth with a good mouthwash.

4. Canned Tuna
Tuna from a can is a quick and tasty way to eat lunch or dinner. But keep in mind that you might have bad breath afterward! For this reason, the smell of decayed fish is bad when it gets to your mouth, and the fish may have already started to decompose. Another reason why fish might leave a bad taste in your mouth is that it has a lot of amino acids.

5. Coffee
Everyone has smelled someone with coffee breath at some point. It smells better than freshly made coffee, though. Instead, it smells old and rotten because of the sulfur found in it. Hence, remember to brush your teeth and tongue well after your good morning coffee. Also, wash your mouth out after!

6. Liquor
For those who have experienced a big night of drinking, you know that the next day your mouth will feel bad. Bad breath is another thing you have to deal with after that. Acid reflux can occur after consuming alcohol. The fact that alcohol inhibits saliva production is another factor that contributes to dry mouth and bad breath.

7. Tomatoes
Bacteria love acidic foods, which is why tomatoes can make your breath smell bad. So, whether you eat them in a salad or a pasta sauce, you might notice that they smell a little amusing afterward. Drinking water can help you avoid germs.

8. Spicy Food
You might really enjoy that hot, spicy dish you’ve learned to make or the delicious enchiladas at your favorite place. But keep in mind that hot foods can make your breath smell bad. Chemicals in spicy foods change the way you smell all over as they move through your body.

9. Milk Products
Dairy products have a lot of protein, which can make your breath smell bad if you don’t brush your teeth after eating them. When you chew these things, they break down into amino acids that contain sulfur. These acids can make your breath smell bad.

10. Low-carb Diets
Fat and protein make up a lot of low-carb diets, so people who follow them may burn fat for fuel. But this can cause your body to make too many ketones, which can give you ketone breath, which smells like acetone, rotten apples, or something sweet and fruity.

Conclusion

Even though some things can make your breath smell bad, dry mouth, smoking, and some medical conditions can also cause this problem. Being careful with your mouth will help you avoid bad taste.

Regularly brush and floss your teeth, use mouthwash, and visit the dentist for checkups and cleanings. Elgin Family Dentist can help you get rid of bad breath. If you are in Texas, call them right away to see their magic and forget about everything else.

Do you intend to get dental crowns done, but what comes next once the procedure is made? Dental crowns are vital to restoring the function and aesthetics of teeth, but caring for them is crucial. If you have a dental crown, you must adhere to certain basic measures that are approved and those that aren’t approved after the process.

What are Dental Crowns?

They are one of the most popular restorative treatments to restore broken or decayed teeth and to improve the shape, color, and size of the teeth. A dental crown refers to a tooth-shaped cap cemented on a damaged tooth’s remaining structure to help restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance.

Ceramic, porcelain, resin, or metal alloys can be used to fabricate crowns. The type of material that is used in the manufacturing of a dental prosthesis depends on the location of the mouth, cost, and preference.

Before a dental crown is placed, the dentist will anesthetize the surrounding area of the tooth that needs the crown and then further reduce its size to accommodate the crown. An impression of your reshaped tooth will then be made, which will be used to have your crown made by a professional in a lab from very good material.

After that, your dentist will cement the crown using a cement that can bond to the tooth structure well, permanently onto your prepared tooth. With good oral hygiene practices, including proper brushing and flossing and visiting your dentist for checkups every six months after getting dental, porcelain crowns placed on the bite, you can keep them looking like new for years!

Benefits of Getting Dental Crowns

The benefits of getting dental crowns include the following:

• They can be used to reshape a tooth, rebuild a worn-down tooth, or even fill a cavity.
• It can eliminate pain or discomfort in teeth or gums.
• A bridge can be strengthened using dental crowns
• They can last for a long time
• Teeth crowns improve chewing

Dos: What to Do With Your Dental Crown

1. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Dental crowns, like your biological teeth, should be brushed and flossed daily to avoid plaque and germ buildup. When brushing your crown, it is advised to use a soft-bristled toothbrush, while using a nonabrasive toothpaste should suffice as well.
Floss Carefully: When flossing around your crown, remove the floss; do not pull it up and down. This increases the chances of the floss becoming trapped with the crown, forcing its removal.

2. Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Through checkups, you allow your dentist to assess the general health of your crown and other teeth. Our doctors can look for any abrasion or scratch and ensure that your crown stays on your head tight.

However, regular cleaning is a job that professional cleaners should do to maintain the health of the crown. Your dentist or dental hygienist does professional cleaning and can eliminate the hard deposits of plaque and tartar in places not easily accessible by a toothbrush.

3. Be Mindful of What You Eat
Even though your dental crown is so strong, do not bite on hard things like ice cubes, nuts, or suck candies because this can make the crown breakpoint. Don’t eat sticky foods like caramel because they pull on the crown.

4. Wear a Nightguard If You Grind Your Teeth
If you are a teeth grinder or a teeth-clenching person, then you should know that the use of a mouth protector or night guard is very suitable since it reduces the amount of pressure exerted over the crown during sleep.

Don’ts: What Not to Do with Your Dental Crown

1. Don’t Ignore Sensitivity
Once the crown is set, you will likely have some heightened sensibility. However, if this should increase, you should consult your dentist. Long-term sensitivity would suggest a problem with the crown or the tooth underneath it.

2. Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools
Applying force to packaging, nails, and tags with your teeth will harm the dental crown resting in your mouth. These tasks should, therefore, always be done with the right tools for the crown and natural teeth’ sake.

3. Cavity is a Common Problem
To maintain the longevity of your crown, you must go for a check-up now and then. Missed appointments are always disastrous as new problems, which were not well-developed at the time of the appointment, are problematic; hence, their potential resolution would result in a much bigger crisis.

Care Instructions After Having a Dental Crown

To improve the life of dental crowns and promote dental health, there are aftercare measures that clients need to take. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Practice good oral hygiene: swish around your mouth with fluoride toothpaste at least two times daily and floss once daily. Swish an over-the-counter mouthwash once a day to decrease the growth of bacteria.
• Avoid hard or sticky foods: It may be said that chewing on hard candies, ice, popcorn kernels, or similar foods may harm the crown or even knock it off the teeth.
• Don’t use your teeth as tools: Do not bring your teeth to bear to open bottles or tear plastic covers, as this may harm the crown.
• Wear a mouthguard while playing sports: For those individuals engaged in contact sports such as football, basketball, or boxing, wearing a clean, personalized mouthguard will help to reduce the impact of sports activities on both your natural teeth and those replaced through dental crowning.
• Visit your dentist regularly: Scheduling appropriate dental check-ups is useful to evaluate any problems at an early stage lest they reach a catastrophic point where the crown also has to be replaced.

Through the post-treatment guidelines on dental crowns highlighted above, we can extend their lifespan without replacing them later.

Final Thoughts

crowns are a great option for several dental issues. These are advantageous to people with defective or eroded teeth because they have form and function advantages.
To guarantee that a dental crown lasts for many years, it is crucial to adhere to the dos and don’ts after receiving one.

Avoid smoking, chewing on hard things, grinding your teeth, and eating sticky meals. However, as advised by your dentist at Elgin Family Dental, you should brush and floss regularly.

Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, have become a popular alternative to traditional braces for people who discreetly straighten their teeth· They offer comfort and flexibility and are nearly invisible, making them an attractive option for teens and adults. However, one of the most common questions asked by patients is: “How long will I need to wear my clear aligners?”

In this blog post, we’ll explore the factors determining the length of your clear aligner treatment, what you can expect during the process, and how to ensure you get the best results· If you’re considering starting your treatment at Elgin Dental Office TX, or another dental provider, this information will help you understand what to expect on your clear aligner journey·

1· What Are Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners are custom-made trays that fit snugly over your teeth to gradually shift them into the desired position· They are typically made of transparent, BPA-free plastic, which makes them barely noticeable when worn. Unlike traditional braces, clear aligners can be removed for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing, offering greater flexibility·

Treatment with clear aligners involves wearing a series of trays that are replaced every one to two weeks· Each new set of aligners is slightly adjusted to continue moving your teeth into alignment.

2· Average Treatment Duration

The average duration of clear aligner treatment depends on several factors, including the complexity of your case and how diligently you wear the aligners. For most people, the total treatment time can range between 6 to 18 months· However, mild cases may be completed in as little as 3 to 6 months, while more complex cases may take up to 24 months or more.

At Elgin Dental Office TX, the dentist will evaluate your teeth and bite during your initial consultation and provide you with an estimated treatment timeline·

3· Factors That Affect Treatment Length

Several factors can influence how long you’ll need to wear your clear aligners:

a · The Severity of Your Dental Issues

The complexity of your dental problems is the most significant factor in determining treatment duration. If you have minor issues, such as mild crowding or small gaps between teeth, your treatment could be completed relatively quickly· On the other hand, more severe problems, such as major crowding, significant spacing issues, or bite misalignment (overbite, underbite, etc·), may require a longer treatment period.

b· Compliance with Wearing Aligners

One of the key factors in determining how long you’ll need to wear your aligners is how consistently you wear them· For clear aligners to work effectively, they need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day· Failure to wear your aligners as prescribed can delay your treatment, extend the time needed to achieve your desired results, and even compromise the effectiveness of the treatment·
Patients at Elgin Dental Office TX will be guided on properly wearing and caring for their aligners to ensure the best outcomes.

c· Age and Bone Density

Younger patients, particularly teens, may experience faster results with clear aligners because their teeth and jaws are still developing, making it easier for teeth to shift· Conversely, adults may have denser bone structures, which could slow down the process slightly· That said, clear aligners can be highly effective for both teens and adults, but age-related differences in bone density may play a role in treatment duration.

d· Following the Treatment Plan

Every patient will receive a custom treatment plan from their dentist or orthodontist, including the specific number of aligners and the schedule for switching to a new set· Adhering to this plan is crucial for keeping your treatment on track· Skipping checkups or failing to switch to the next aligner set on time can prolong treatment.

4· If You Don’t Wear Your Aligners Enough

As mentioned earlier, compliance is key to achieving the best results in the shortest amount of time· If you don’t wear your aligners for the recommended 20 to 22 hours per day, your teeth won’t move as quickly or efficiently, which could delay your progress·
Wearing your aligners inconsistently could also cause problems like discomfort or tightness when you try to switch to the next aligner in your series· If your teeth haven’t moved as expected, you may even need to go back to a previous set·

Elgin Dental Office TX patients are encouraged to follow their treatment instructions closely to avoid delays and complications· If they’re ever unsure about their progress, their dentist can adjust their treatment plan as needed·

5· What to Expect After Treatment

Once your clear aligner treatment is complete, your dentist will assess your teeth to ensure they reach the desired position· However, your treatment journey doesn’t end there· After the active phase of wearing aligners, you’ll need to wear retainers to maintain your new smile·

Retainers are essential because, without them, your teeth can gradually shift back to their original positions over time· Initially, you may need to wear your retainers full-time (similar to your aligners), but you can switch to wearing them only at night over time.

Elgin Dental Office TX will guide you through the post-treatment phase and provide you with custom-made retainers to keep your smile intact.

6· Tips to Stay on Track During Your Treatment

To make sure you stay on track and finish your treatment as quickly as possible, consider the following tips:

• Set Reminders: Use your phone or a physical calendar to remind yourself when to switch to your next set of aligners.
• Stay Consistent: Wear your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day· Remove them only for meals and oral hygiene routines.
• Attend Regular Checkups: Stay in touch with your dentist for checkups and adjustments to your treatment plan.
• Keep Your Aligners Clean: Follow your dentist’s cleaning instructions to maintain good oral hygiene and prevent plaque buildup on your aligners.
• Store Aligners Properly: When not wearing your aligners, always store them in their case to avoid damage or misplacement.

Conclusion

The length of time you’ll need to wear clear aligners depends on various factors, such as the severity of your dental issues, your commitment to wearing the aligners, and following your dentist’s instructions· While most people can expect their treatment to last between 6 to 18 months, each case is unique.
If you’re interested in clear aligners, consult with a qualified provider like Elgin Dental Office TX. There, you’ll receive a personalized treatment plan designed to give you the best possible results in the shortest time frame· With proper care and compliance, you’ll soon enjoy a beautifully aligned smile that can last a lifetime.