At present we will talk on the subject of the two basic ways teeth are discolored. The initial is extrinsic staining and the following is called intrinsic staining. Extrinsic stains are those that develop on the surface of the teeth as a result of contact to a number of drinks, foods, tobacco, as well as normal wear and tear.
Surface extrinsic stains are trivial and can be removed with brushing and professional dental cleaning. Persistent extrinsic stains can be removed with other intricate efforts, like teeth bleaching. Unrelenting extrinsic stains can breach into the dentin plus become ingrained if they are not dealt with early on.
Intrinsic stains are those that arise on the inside of teeth. Intrinsic stains result because of trauma, aging, contact to minerals such as tetracycline throughout tooth development as well as too much ingestion of fluoride. In earlier years, it was thought that intrinsic stains were overly resilient and not easily corrected through bleaching. Nowadays, cosmetic dentistry experts believe that even the most challenging intrinsic stains can be removed with home teeth whitening that is maintained over a matter of months supervised by means of your dentist.
There is a sincere association connecting tooth color and age. Teeth darken over time as a consequence of wear and tear along with stain accumulation. Young people will likely encounter instantaneous, vivid results from whitening. In the twenties, the teeth start to display a yellow cast, teeth whitening may call for a little more effort. By the forties, the yellow changes to brown after that further maintenance may be called for. By the fifties, the teeth have absorbed a bundle of persevering stains which can be hard to remove.
We are all set with an innate tooth color that ranges from yellow-brownish to greenish-grey, and intensifies over time. Yellow-brown is usually more receptive to bleaching than green-grey. Whereas all teeth demonstrate a bit of translucency, those that are opaque and dense experience an benefit. They appear lighter in color, demonstrate more sparkle and are responsive to bleaching. Teeth that are thinner and more transparent hold less of the color that is essential for leaching. According to cosmetic dentists, transparency is the single circumstance that cannot be corrected by any type of teeth whitening.
The long-term consumption of red wine, coffee, tea, cola, oranges along with further colored drinks and foods causes substantial staining over the years. In addition, acidic foods such as citrus fruits and vinegar contribute to enamel erosion. As a result, the exterior becomes more translucent and more of the yellow-colored dentin shows through.
Nicotine leaves brownish deposits which bit by bit penetrate into the tooth structure and affect intrinsic staining. Tetracycline use in the course of tooth development produces dark gray or brown ribbon stains which are exceedingly stubborn to take away. Unwarranted ingestion of fluoride causes fluorosis and areas of white mottling.
Most commonly caused by anxiety, teeth grinding can add to micro-cracking in the teeth and can initiate the biting edges to darken. Falls with added injuries will be able to create considerable cracks in the teeth, which amass considerable amounts of stains and waste.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Friday, December 18, 2009
There are a few types of products accessible designed for use in your home.
There are a few types of products accessible designed for use in your home. They can either be dispensed by your dentist or found at your neighborhood drug store or superstore.
Lets speak regarding bleaching solutions. The bleaching remedy's include peroxide, which will essentially bleach the tooth enamel. These products as a rule use a percentage of carbamide peroxide as the bleaching or whitening agent. The carbamide peroxide comes in some different concentrations. You will discover levels at ten, sixteen, and twenty two percent.
Nearly all of the peroxide based whiteners will characteristically come in a gel and are placed in a mouth guard or tray. The directions for their use will vary. Some product directions will call for a morning and an evening treatment every day for two weeks. Certain of the additional whiteners call for overnight use for one or two weeks. If you attain the bleaching solution from your dentist, the physician will construct you a mouth guard that will fit your teeth properly. This is a big advantage as the tray will be more comfortable to use. The ones obtained} from the store are a one size fits every one and can be uncomfortable. It is not uncommon to shape these store bought ones with scissors to help with the fit. Currently, the top tooth whiteners for use at home must be dispensed through your dentist. These dentist dispensed whiteners utilize ten percent carbamide peroxide and are the only ones that incorporate the ADA Seal.
You in addition could choose to have a word with your dentist if you hold any discomfort. To offer you an example, your teeth might become sensitive during the time while you are using the bleaching solution. In a lot of cases, this soreness is short-term and will characteristically go away when the whitening process is ended. Particular people additionally exhibit soft tissue or gum tenderness this may perhaps either come from a tray that doesn't fit well or because of solution that has come in contact with the gums. If the solution is on your gums and irritating them then you can benefit from a cotton swab or a tissue to remove it from your gums. If you have concerns or are experiencing these side effects, then you ought to talk about them together with your dentist.
What about whitening toothpastes? All toothpastes will help remove surface stains by means of the action of gentle abrasives contained in the toothpaste. Tooth Whitening toothpastes that include the ADA Seal of Acceptance possess distinctive chemical or polishing agents that offer supplementary stain removal efficiency. Unlike bleaches, these ADA Accepted products do not vary the natural color of teeth. In other words whitening tooth paste will not eradicate the stains that have been building for years. Your teeth possess tiny cracks and crevasses that bear stains. Tray whiteners are best for these stains.
Lets speak regarding bleaching solutions. The bleaching remedy's include peroxide, which will essentially bleach the tooth enamel. These products as a rule use a percentage of carbamide peroxide as the bleaching or whitening agent. The carbamide peroxide comes in some different concentrations. You will discover levels at ten, sixteen, and twenty two percent.
Nearly all of the peroxide based whiteners will characteristically come in a gel and are placed in a mouth guard or tray. The directions for their use will vary. Some product directions will call for a morning and an evening treatment every day for two weeks. Certain of the additional whiteners call for overnight use for one or two weeks. If you attain the bleaching solution from your dentist, the physician will construct you a mouth guard that will fit your teeth properly. This is a big advantage as the tray will be more comfortable to use. The ones obtained} from the store are a one size fits every one and can be uncomfortable. It is not uncommon to shape these store bought ones with scissors to help with the fit. Currently, the top tooth whiteners for use at home must be dispensed through your dentist. These dentist dispensed whiteners utilize ten percent carbamide peroxide and are the only ones that incorporate the ADA Seal.
You in addition could choose to have a word with your dentist if you hold any discomfort. To offer you an example, your teeth might become sensitive during the time while you are using the bleaching solution. In a lot of cases, this soreness is short-term and will characteristically go away when the whitening process is ended. Particular people additionally exhibit soft tissue or gum tenderness this may perhaps either come from a tray that doesn't fit well or because of solution that has come in contact with the gums. If the solution is on your gums and irritating them then you can benefit from a cotton swab or a tissue to remove it from your gums. If you have concerns or are experiencing these side effects, then you ought to talk about them together with your dentist.
What about whitening toothpastes? All toothpastes will help remove surface stains by means of the action of gentle abrasives contained in the toothpaste. Tooth Whitening toothpastes that include the ADA Seal of Acceptance possess distinctive chemical or polishing agents that offer supplementary stain removal efficiency. Unlike bleaches, these ADA Accepted products do not vary the natural color of teeth. In other words whitening tooth paste will not eradicate the stains that have been building for years. Your teeth possess tiny cracks and crevasses that bear stains. Tray whiteners are best for these stains.
Monday, December 14, 2009
A discussion about tooth whitening
For people who want a smile that is brighter, the process of tooth whitening can be easily administered. Tooth whitening can reduce staining and discoloration and ultimately grant a patient a whiter and brighter set of teeth.
But how much really can your teeth become whiter? Some tooth whitening products claim that your teeth can become nine shades whiter. This is exaggerating. A whitening of two or three shades is more possible and can already provide a significant change in a person’s smile.
It is important to note at this point that our teeth have no uniform whiteness. Usually, the whitest teeth are the two front teeth while molars are generally two shades darker. A realistic goal for anyone wishing to have a whiter set of teeth is for the process to achieve its optimum level while retaining the natural look of white teeth. Besides, the whitening results vary from patient to patient depending on the teeth structure and procedure type.
But first, what causes tooth discoloration? Remember that aging, chemical damage and staining are factors that contribute to discoloration as are medications, tea, coffee, cola soft drinks and cigarette.
There are also other factors that affect the color of teeth like genetics and disease. Some people have naturally whiter teeth enamel and their children can acquire this gene trait. But if you suspect that there’s a physiological factor behind the color of your teeth, it is best to consult your physician too so you can better inform your dentist.
Teeth whitening corrects the discoloration in your teeth by removing the staining on your teeth. And there are a number of methods or techniques that can be used to achieve this such as the following: mild acid whitening, chemical whitening, abrasive teeth whitening and the latest one: laser teeth whitening.
Teeth bleaching is a chemical process that a dentist can use to lighten up the color of the teeth of his patient. The process can be administered right in the dentist’s clinic, at the patient’s home or a combination of clinic first-finish at home. Home teeth bleaching procedures are more common nowadays these afford patients the convenience of their own homes.
The cosmetic dentist first molds a custom mouth tray or mouth guard for his patient. Creating the mouth tray is critical because this controls the amount of whitening agent to be used and holds the entire teeth for even whitening. Other material requirements for the home procedure are fairly easy to handle. The dentists should make sure that the patient is well-instructed and well-equipped. While treating at home, never hesitate to call your dentist if you have questions or is not sure of what you’re doing.
Typically, the mouthguard containing the whitening solution must be worn overnight or as instructed by your dentist and/or recommended by the product literature. The session could also last for as short as 2 or 3 hours. This really depends in the product and your own whitening need.
But how much really can your teeth become whiter? Some tooth whitening products claim that your teeth can become nine shades whiter. This is exaggerating. A whitening of two or three shades is more possible and can already provide a significant change in a person’s smile.
It is important to note at this point that our teeth have no uniform whiteness. Usually, the whitest teeth are the two front teeth while molars are generally two shades darker. A realistic goal for anyone wishing to have a whiter set of teeth is for the process to achieve its optimum level while retaining the natural look of white teeth. Besides, the whitening results vary from patient to patient depending on the teeth structure and procedure type.
But first, what causes tooth discoloration? Remember that aging, chemical damage and staining are factors that contribute to discoloration as are medications, tea, coffee, cola soft drinks and cigarette.
There are also other factors that affect the color of teeth like genetics and disease. Some people have naturally whiter teeth enamel and their children can acquire this gene trait. But if you suspect that there’s a physiological factor behind the color of your teeth, it is best to consult your physician too so you can better inform your dentist.
Teeth whitening corrects the discoloration in your teeth by removing the staining on your teeth. And there are a number of methods or techniques that can be used to achieve this such as the following: mild acid whitening, chemical whitening, abrasive teeth whitening and the latest one: laser teeth whitening.
Teeth bleaching is a chemical process that a dentist can use to lighten up the color of the teeth of his patient. The process can be administered right in the dentist’s clinic, at the patient’s home or a combination of clinic first-finish at home. Home teeth bleaching procedures are more common nowadays these afford patients the convenience of their own homes.
The cosmetic dentist first molds a custom mouth tray or mouth guard for his patient. Creating the mouth tray is critical because this controls the amount of whitening agent to be used and holds the entire teeth for even whitening. Other material requirements for the home procedure are fairly easy to handle. The dentists should make sure that the patient is well-instructed and well-equipped. While treating at home, never hesitate to call your dentist if you have questions or is not sure of what you’re doing.
Typically, the mouthguard containing the whitening solution must be worn overnight or as instructed by your dentist and/or recommended by the product literature. The session could also last for as short as 2 or 3 hours. This really depends in the product and your own whitening need.
Monday, December 7, 2009
All the supposed breath candies that you're used to seeing in the stores (Altoids, Tic-Tacs, Certs, Ice Breakers, etc...) all commit some kind of fatal mistake in the documented science of creating fresh breath. You see, by now the academic halitosis community knows the causes of bad breath.... and we also know the exact conditions that create an oral environment in your mouth that is more likely to produce bad breath.
So wouldn't you think that a breath mint should contain ingredients that make this oral environment less likely to happen? At the very least, there shouldn't be anything in there would make that oral environment WORSE, right?
You can probably see what I'm getting at.... the top breath fresheners on the market ALL contain either sugar (which the bad breath bacteria absolutely feast on), or they contain an artificial flavor designed to cover-up rather than prevent bad breath and taste.
And NONE OF THEM Contain Any Clinically Proven, Breath-Refreshing Ingredients!
Now first let me get one thing straight .... if you have chronic halitosis, DON'T expect a breath mint to make the problem go away (although they are an excellent maintenance device if you are already using the TheraBreath system in the morning and night). My last 10 years have been spent helping people who mostly have had chronic halitosis problems - the type of condition that every time you talk with a person you detect an odor from their breath.
bad breath causes
But there is a type of bad breath out there that is common to everyone that I've been largely ignoring for the last 10 years! I refer to this type as situational bad breath. Situational Bad Breath occurs in 99.9% of the world population at one time or another (statistically just about everybody, but my lawyers make me say it like that!). It happens when someone activates a trigger that causes the oral environment in their mouth to become more likely for the anaerobic bacteria to begin creating the volatile sulfur compounds (VSC's) that cause bad breath.
In scientific terms, when your mouth encounters one of these triggers, it creates an oral environment that encourages the anaerobic bacteria to begin extracting sulfur compounds from specific amino acids. One amino acid (cysteine) turns into hydrogen sulfide (the rotten-egg smell), and another amino acid (methionine) becomes methyl mercaptan which smells sort of like dirty socks!
So Let's Take A Real-World Example For A Minute...
You get together with some friends one weekend for bite to eat at a delectable restaurant that serves cheese fondue, with a strawberry daiquiri to cap it off.
You want to make sure you have fresh breath, so after dinner you pop in an Altoid or other such breath candy . . . . STOP!
Although you may have a cinnamon-like taste in your mouth, what you've really just done is made your bad breath problem MUCH worse. Let me explain:
During dinner, you introduced two triggers to your mouth (protein and alcohol) that weren't previously there and made your particular oral environment very eager to begin creating those foul-smelling VSCs.
Then after dinner, by sucking on that mint, you actually gave those bacteria a food source they LOVE (sugar) to help along the VSC production. True, you TASTE cinnamon or mint, but that's only a temporary cover up and what other people actually SMELL is usually a lot worse!
ZOX Breath Fresheners were created based on the same clinically proven Zinc/Oxygen/Xylitol principles used by the rest of the TheraBreath product line. It is literally bad breath prevention science packed into a roll of breath mints!
First, ZOX Breath Fresheners have no sugar - your breath mint should NEVER have sugar in it. ZOX Breath Fresheners use xylitol which is a natural sweetener and has also been proven to have tremendous anti-decay properties.
Next, we added zinc gluconate for its ability to literally put a straight-jacket around those bad-breath producing anaerobic bacteria. Zinc gluconate blocks the receptors on the anaerobic bacteria so that they don't bind with the amino acids. If they don't bind with the amino acids, then they don't produce VSCs!
ZOX Breath Fresheners contain no aspartame, no saccharin, and no artificial colors or flavors.
ZOX Breath Fresheners have been specifically created for the sole purpose of preventing bad breath, and removing metallic tastes, NOT for just covering them up. The longer you keep a ZOX in your mouth, the more volatile sulfur compounds it will neutralize.
Plus, each mint is only 5 calories, so you can have as many as you want.
The bottom line is that all-natural ZOX Breath Fresheners are the first and only breath mint to neutralize bad breath based on the clinically proven methods practiced by the California Breath Clinics over the past 10 years.
For control of occasional or situational bad breath there is nothing better than ZOX!
So wouldn't you think that a breath mint should contain ingredients that make this oral environment less likely to happen? At the very least, there shouldn't be anything in there would make that oral environment WORSE, right?
You can probably see what I'm getting at.... the top breath fresheners on the market ALL contain either sugar (which the bad breath bacteria absolutely feast on), or they contain an artificial flavor designed to cover-up rather than prevent bad breath and taste.
And NONE OF THEM Contain Any Clinically Proven, Breath-Refreshing Ingredients!
Now first let me get one thing straight .... if you have chronic halitosis, DON'T expect a breath mint to make the problem go away (although they are an excellent maintenance device if you are already using the TheraBreath system in the morning and night). My last 10 years have been spent helping people who mostly have had chronic halitosis problems - the type of condition that every time you talk with a person you detect an odor from their breath.
bad breath causes
But there is a type of bad breath out there that is common to everyone that I've been largely ignoring for the last 10 years! I refer to this type as situational bad breath. Situational Bad Breath occurs in 99.9% of the world population at one time or another (statistically just about everybody, but my lawyers make me say it like that!). It happens when someone activates a trigger that causes the oral environment in their mouth to become more likely for the anaerobic bacteria to begin creating the volatile sulfur compounds (VSC's) that cause bad breath.
In scientific terms, when your mouth encounters one of these triggers, it creates an oral environment that encourages the anaerobic bacteria to begin extracting sulfur compounds from specific amino acids. One amino acid (cysteine) turns into hydrogen sulfide (the rotten-egg smell), and another amino acid (methionine) becomes methyl mercaptan which smells sort of like dirty socks!
So Let's Take A Real-World Example For A Minute...
You get together with some friends one weekend for bite to eat at a delectable restaurant that serves cheese fondue, with a strawberry daiquiri to cap it off.
You want to make sure you have fresh breath, so after dinner you pop in an Altoid or other such breath candy . . . . STOP!
Although you may have a cinnamon-like taste in your mouth, what you've really just done is made your bad breath problem MUCH worse. Let me explain:
During dinner, you introduced two triggers to your mouth (protein and alcohol) that weren't previously there and made your particular oral environment very eager to begin creating those foul-smelling VSCs.
Then after dinner, by sucking on that mint, you actually gave those bacteria a food source they LOVE (sugar) to help along the VSC production. True, you TASTE cinnamon or mint, but that's only a temporary cover up and what other people actually SMELL is usually a lot worse!
ZOX Breath Fresheners were created based on the same clinically proven Zinc/Oxygen/Xylitol principles used by the rest of the TheraBreath product line. It is literally bad breath prevention science packed into a roll of breath mints!
First, ZOX Breath Fresheners have no sugar - your breath mint should NEVER have sugar in it. ZOX Breath Fresheners use xylitol which is a natural sweetener and has also been proven to have tremendous anti-decay properties.
Next, we added zinc gluconate for its ability to literally put a straight-jacket around those bad-breath producing anaerobic bacteria. Zinc gluconate blocks the receptors on the anaerobic bacteria so that they don't bind with the amino acids. If they don't bind with the amino acids, then they don't produce VSCs!
ZOX Breath Fresheners contain no aspartame, no saccharin, and no artificial colors or flavors.
ZOX Breath Fresheners have been specifically created for the sole purpose of preventing bad breath, and removing metallic tastes, NOT for just covering them up. The longer you keep a ZOX in your mouth, the more volatile sulfur compounds it will neutralize.
Plus, each mint is only 5 calories, so you can have as many as you want.
The bottom line is that all-natural ZOX Breath Fresheners are the first and only breath mint to neutralize bad breath based on the clinically proven methods practiced by the California Breath Clinics over the past 10 years.
For control of occasional or situational bad breath there is nothing better than ZOX!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Scientifically, the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath love the amino acids cysteine and methionine, which are the building blocks of the proteins that are found in mucus, phlegm, and dairy foods. In fact, many people notice that when they drink too much milk or eat too much cheese they end up with more mucous/phlegm in their throat. This is a natural reaction for many people and unfortunately, ends up causing more bad breath and awful tastes.
If you still have your tonsils, you may be harboring a higher number of the bacteria which can lead to a very misunderstood phenomenon called tonsilloliths. They are tonsil stones produced by the conglomeration of mucus draining down the back of the throat and the volatile sulfur compounds created by the bacteria which easily end up in the nooks and crannies of the tonsils every time one swallows. Countless times my patients told me that their dentists misdiagnosed these and told them that these were merely food particles. This couldn't be further from the truth!
If you suffer from excess mucus, sinus congestion and post nasal drip there are essentially only a few different routes that you can take:
1. Use medication and or drugs to dry up the sinuses and prevent mucus buildup - all the while being careful to avoid a dry mouth, a likely side-effect of virtually all antihistamines. Dry mouth is the most common initiator of bad breath because it mimics an anaerobic environment, perfect for the bacteria to pump out Volatile Sulfur Compounds. You should be careful about using any antihistamine frequently - many are habit forming!
2. Use TheraBreath Nasal Sinus Formula. By squeezing 3-4 drops into each nostril (and then lightly inhaling to move the potent formula through the sinuses) twice daily, most people can finally experience that fresh breath and taste feeling by eliminating the production of sulfur compounds created by the reaction of mucus and the anaerobic sulfur producing bacteria.
3. For chronic sinus problems, many patients will find relief by using the Hydropulse® (an amazingly effective Nasal-Sinus Irrigator, designed by an Ear Nose & Throat specialist) to flush the sinuses. (It works even better when you add just 2-3 drops of AktivOxigen serum into the trough before each use.)
4. Minimize the amount of post-nasal drip in your throat and sinuses, and eliminate the #1 side effect of excess mucus, bad breath, by using oxygenating oral care products, such as TheraBreath, TheraBreath PLUS, AktivOxigen, PerioTherapy, and TheraBrite. Medication and drugs may help prevent post-nasal drip, but at what cost?
There are dozens of different over-the counter nasal decongestants and antihistamines that you can use to help relieve congestion and dry up excess mucus. Some of them do what their manufacturers claim they can do, but most of them perform the job too well! They create an extremely dry mouth, which exacerbates bad breath. Even in cases where the dry mouth side effect is minimal, when you stop taking that medication, the problem often comes back even worse! This is because in some cases your body will actually develop a resistance to any antihistamines or nasal decongestants, especially nasal sprays (be careful, because many sprays are habit forming, but NOT TheraBreath formulas)!
The solution to the problem is to use a Nasal-Irrigator such as the Hydropulse® to Flush Your Sinuses free from Excess Mucus.
Nasal Irrigation is probably the most effective method of eliminating post-nasal drip and helping to control sinus infections. The Hydro Pulse Sinus Irrigator is an FDA registered device supported by over 37 published medical reports. The unique pulsatile irrigation of the Hydro Pulse helps to restore ciliary function and relieve post nasal drip. A short period of regular use can stimulate the cilia (the tiny hair-like fibers in the nasal sinus passages) to restore their natural protective "sweeping & cleansing" action.
When you feel a sinus condition come about, or feel that you have persistent post-nasal drip and excess mucus, consistent daily use for 10 days should result in a clearing of the condition.
For best results, we recommend a combination of this easy-to-use home instrument with an oxygenating solution such as AktivOxigen serum.
Stop Bad Breath Associated with Post-Nasal Drip, Excess Mucus, and Sinus Problems
For people who don't really have sinus problems, just "off and on" or seasonal post-nasal drip, then an alternative (and better) solution might be to minimize the amount of excess mucus in the back of the throat and more importantly to make sure to neutralize the odor caused by this excess mucus.
The proteins in mucus make an excellent food source for the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath. The bacteria feed off the amino acids, methionine and cysteine, and create extremely odorous and awful tasting volatile sulfur compounds as byproducts, which are the odors and awful tastes found in the medical condition 'halitosis,' which is more commonly known as bad breath.
There are three key formulas that most of my patients find extremely effective at neutralizing the odor caused by post-nasal drip:
Keep in mind that we always recommend using an oxygenating oral rinse and toothpaste such as TheraBreath as the primary ingredients of any breath treatment program
Nasal-Sinus Drops Eliminate Odor From The Sinuses
These drops are highly effective at cleansing the sinuses (a very hard-to-reach area) of the volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.
AktivOxigen Tablets Create an Unflavored Oral Rinse to Cleanse the Back of the Throat
These tablets make an unflavored oral rinse that you can actually swallow - this gets much deeper down in the throat than just regular rinsing, and it will actually help break down post-nasal drip congestion and excess mucus in the throat.
TheraBreath Extinguisher Spray With It's Patented 6.9cm Spray Nozzle Reaches The Back of the Tongue Where Few Other Sprays Can Reach
The Extinguisher Spray has been extremely popular - its patented 6.9 cm Extinguisher Nozzle applicator is very effective at applying the formulas to the back of the throat and tonsils, which is a very common problem area for people with post nasal drip and excess mucus.
When I first started treating my own daughter's breath problem 10 years ago, I never dreamed that I would end up helping so many people all over the world who had the same problem that was often misdiagnosed by other dentists for far too long. It was only a few years into our clinical therapy that I realized that every case of bad breath is different and that there is no such thing as one formula to treat every case of halitosis.
We've been here for the last 10 years to help our patients prevent bad breath, sinus congestion, and awful tastes, and we'll be here for many more years to come. If there is anything we can do to help, please don't hesitate to contact us - that's why we're here!
If you still have your tonsils, you may be harboring a higher number of the bacteria which can lead to a very misunderstood phenomenon called tonsilloliths. They are tonsil stones produced by the conglomeration of mucus draining down the back of the throat and the volatile sulfur compounds created by the bacteria which easily end up in the nooks and crannies of the tonsils every time one swallows. Countless times my patients told me that their dentists misdiagnosed these and told them that these were merely food particles. This couldn't be further from the truth!
If you suffer from excess mucus, sinus congestion and post nasal drip there are essentially only a few different routes that you can take:
1. Use medication and or drugs to dry up the sinuses and prevent mucus buildup - all the while being careful to avoid a dry mouth, a likely side-effect of virtually all antihistamines. Dry mouth is the most common initiator of bad breath because it mimics an anaerobic environment, perfect for the bacteria to pump out Volatile Sulfur Compounds. You should be careful about using any antihistamine frequently - many are habit forming!
2. Use TheraBreath Nasal Sinus Formula. By squeezing 3-4 drops into each nostril (and then lightly inhaling to move the potent formula through the sinuses) twice daily, most people can finally experience that fresh breath and taste feeling by eliminating the production of sulfur compounds created by the reaction of mucus and the anaerobic sulfur producing bacteria.
3. For chronic sinus problems, many patients will find relief by using the Hydropulse® (an amazingly effective Nasal-Sinus Irrigator, designed by an Ear Nose & Throat specialist) to flush the sinuses. (It works even better when you add just 2-3 drops of AktivOxigen serum into the trough before each use.)
4. Minimize the amount of post-nasal drip in your throat and sinuses, and eliminate the #1 side effect of excess mucus, bad breath, by using oxygenating oral care products, such as TheraBreath, TheraBreath PLUS, AktivOxigen, PerioTherapy, and TheraBrite. Medication and drugs may help prevent post-nasal drip, but at what cost?
There are dozens of different over-the counter nasal decongestants and antihistamines that you can use to help relieve congestion and dry up excess mucus. Some of them do what their manufacturers claim they can do, but most of them perform the job too well! They create an extremely dry mouth, which exacerbates bad breath. Even in cases where the dry mouth side effect is minimal, when you stop taking that medication, the problem often comes back even worse! This is because in some cases your body will actually develop a resistance to any antihistamines or nasal decongestants, especially nasal sprays (be careful, because many sprays are habit forming, but NOT TheraBreath formulas)!
The solution to the problem is to use a Nasal-Irrigator such as the Hydropulse® to Flush Your Sinuses free from Excess Mucus.
Nasal Irrigation is probably the most effective method of eliminating post-nasal drip and helping to control sinus infections. The Hydro Pulse Sinus Irrigator is an FDA registered device supported by over 37 published medical reports. The unique pulsatile irrigation of the Hydro Pulse helps to restore ciliary function and relieve post nasal drip. A short period of regular use can stimulate the cilia (the tiny hair-like fibers in the nasal sinus passages) to restore their natural protective "sweeping & cleansing" action.
When you feel a sinus condition come about, or feel that you have persistent post-nasal drip and excess mucus, consistent daily use for 10 days should result in a clearing of the condition.
For best results, we recommend a combination of this easy-to-use home instrument with an oxygenating solution such as AktivOxigen serum.
Stop Bad Breath Associated with Post-Nasal Drip, Excess Mucus, and Sinus Problems
For people who don't really have sinus problems, just "off and on" or seasonal post-nasal drip, then an alternative (and better) solution might be to minimize the amount of excess mucus in the back of the throat and more importantly to make sure to neutralize the odor caused by this excess mucus.
The proteins in mucus make an excellent food source for the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath. The bacteria feed off the amino acids, methionine and cysteine, and create extremely odorous and awful tasting volatile sulfur compounds as byproducts, which are the odors and awful tastes found in the medical condition 'halitosis,' which is more commonly known as bad breath.
There are three key formulas that most of my patients find extremely effective at neutralizing the odor caused by post-nasal drip:
Keep in mind that we always recommend using an oxygenating oral rinse and toothpaste such as TheraBreath as the primary ingredients of any breath treatment program
Nasal-Sinus Drops Eliminate Odor From The Sinuses
These drops are highly effective at cleansing the sinuses (a very hard-to-reach area) of the volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.
AktivOxigen Tablets Create an Unflavored Oral Rinse to Cleanse the Back of the Throat
These tablets make an unflavored oral rinse that you can actually swallow - this gets much deeper down in the throat than just regular rinsing, and it will actually help break down post-nasal drip congestion and excess mucus in the throat.
TheraBreath Extinguisher Spray With It's Patented 6.9cm Spray Nozzle Reaches The Back of the Tongue Where Few Other Sprays Can Reach
The Extinguisher Spray has been extremely popular - its patented 6.9 cm Extinguisher Nozzle applicator is very effective at applying the formulas to the back of the throat and tonsils, which is a very common problem area for people with post nasal drip and excess mucus.
When I first started treating my own daughter's breath problem 10 years ago, I never dreamed that I would end up helping so many people all over the world who had the same problem that was often misdiagnosed by other dentists for far too long. It was only a few years into our clinical therapy that I realized that every case of bad breath is different and that there is no such thing as one formula to treat every case of halitosis.
We've been here for the last 10 years to help our patients prevent bad breath, sinus congestion, and awful tastes, and we'll be here for many more years to come. If there is anything we can do to help, please don't hesitate to contact us - that's why we're here!
Monday, November 30, 2009
The Truth About Bad Breath
The truth is, bad breath is universal. No matter how well you brush, floss, and gargle you still carry the germs that cause unpleasant smells with you every day...in your mouth.
The Science of Bad Breath
bacteria
Bad breath is basically caused by anaerobic sulfur-producing bacteria. These bacteria live within the surface of the tongue and in the throat and are nothing to worry about - they are naturally occurring. These bacteria are supposed to be there because they assist humans in digestion by breaking down proteins. Proteins are commonly found in food, mucous or phlegm, blood, and in diseased or "broken-down" oral tissue. Not a very pretty picture, but this is the science of what happens in your mouth.
Under certain conditions, these bacteria start to break down proteins at a very high rate. It so happens that proteins are made up of amino acids. Two of the amino acids (cysteine and methionine) are dense with sulfur. When the bacteria really crank up the rate at which they break down proteins into amino acids, the rate at which sulfur is produced also increases and BINGO! You have halitosis.
As bacteria feasts on proteins in your mouth sulfur compounds are released from the back of the tongue and throat. Bacteria excretes waste as hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and other odorous and bad tasting compounds. These smelly substances are called volatile sulfur compounds (VSC). Volatile means vaporous and effervescent, two adjectives which accurately describe their ability to offend other people instantly. As long as this process continues unchecked, your breath gets worse and worse.
Finding a Solution to Prevent Halitosis
Because my original degree is in bacteriology, I was able to understand the process both as a Dentist and as a Bacteriologist. This was the key to finding an effective ongoing solution for halitosis.
The first and most important thing to keep in mind is that the bacteria responsible for bad breath is not an infection, a 'disease' or a sign of poor health or hygiene. Everyone in the world has the same group of bacteria in their mouth. You cannot "catch" bad breath from someone else, even by kissing. It's simply a matter of how quickly they work on digesting proteins, how many there are, and how much food they have to work with that are the driving causes of worsening breath. Since they are part of our normal oral flora, you cannot permanently remove these bacteria from your mouth - not by tongue scraping, antibiotics, or rinses which claim to "lift the bacteria off your tongue."
During my tenure as Director of the California Breath Clinic I've personally treated over 10,000 cases of halitosis and discovered this one important truth: The only scientifically proven and clinically effective method of halting halitosis is by attacking the bacteria's ability to produce VSCs and by converting the VSCs into non-odorous and non-tasting organic salts. Simply put, the rate at which bacteria digest protein and excrete waste has to be slowed, and the waste that is produced has to be neutralized.
The Science of Bad Breath
bacteria
Bad breath is basically caused by anaerobic sulfur-producing bacteria. These bacteria live within the surface of the tongue and in the throat and are nothing to worry about - they are naturally occurring. These bacteria are supposed to be there because they assist humans in digestion by breaking down proteins. Proteins are commonly found in food, mucous or phlegm, blood, and in diseased or "broken-down" oral tissue. Not a very pretty picture, but this is the science of what happens in your mouth.
Under certain conditions, these bacteria start to break down proteins at a very high rate. It so happens that proteins are made up of amino acids. Two of the amino acids (cysteine and methionine) are dense with sulfur. When the bacteria really crank up the rate at which they break down proteins into amino acids, the rate at which sulfur is produced also increases and BINGO! You have halitosis.
As bacteria feasts on proteins in your mouth sulfur compounds are released from the back of the tongue and throat. Bacteria excretes waste as hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and other odorous and bad tasting compounds. These smelly substances are called volatile sulfur compounds (VSC). Volatile means vaporous and effervescent, two adjectives which accurately describe their ability to offend other people instantly. As long as this process continues unchecked, your breath gets worse and worse.
Finding a Solution to Prevent Halitosis
Because my original degree is in bacteriology, I was able to understand the process both as a Dentist and as a Bacteriologist. This was the key to finding an effective ongoing solution for halitosis.
The first and most important thing to keep in mind is that the bacteria responsible for bad breath is not an infection, a 'disease' or a sign of poor health or hygiene. Everyone in the world has the same group of bacteria in their mouth. You cannot "catch" bad breath from someone else, even by kissing. It's simply a matter of how quickly they work on digesting proteins, how many there are, and how much food they have to work with that are the driving causes of worsening breath. Since they are part of our normal oral flora, you cannot permanently remove these bacteria from your mouth - not by tongue scraping, antibiotics, or rinses which claim to "lift the bacteria off your tongue."
During my tenure as Director of the California Breath Clinic I've personally treated over 10,000 cases of halitosis and discovered this one important truth: The only scientifically proven and clinically effective method of halting halitosis is by attacking the bacteria's ability to produce VSCs and by converting the VSCs into non-odorous and non-tasting organic salts. Simply put, the rate at which bacteria digest protein and excrete waste has to be slowed, and the waste that is produced has to be neutralized.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Tooth Whitening Tips From Dr Katz
By Dr. Harold Katz - BAD BREATH EXPERT
It's now possible in almost all cases to achieve dental office quality teeth whitening from the comfort of your own home. The best teeth whitening systems use a moldable tray system that contains fitted mouthpieces.
Over 50% OFF Our Most Popular Whitening Kit
Related Products
TheraBrite PLUS Deluxe Whitening Kit (+ FREE ZOX)
Price: $73.00
TheraBrite PLUS Oral Rinse
Price: $13.50
TheraBrite PLUS Toothpaste
Price: $13.50
Testimonials
TheraBreath products are used by millions of people worldwide. Read some of their success stories below.
"In a simple sense, THEY WORK! "
-Thank you! RDH Tampa FL
"Becasue I am a smoker, I have bad breath and stained teeth. I've been using your TheraBrite products and find the refreshing/cleaning feel unlike any of the many products I’ve tried. My teeth also stay white for so much longer."
-David E. (Woodbridge, VA)
"I was desperate to find a product to help my discolored teeth. I was about to spend over $1000 for bleaching. Thank God I found TheraBrite. I now have white teeth and great breath. My confidence is back!"
-Amber C. (Arlington, TX)
I began practicing dentistry in 1975 - at that time I had just graduated with my DDS degree from UCLA and was eager to make my mark as a dentist. I worked a double shift at a dental clinic near the corner of Hollywood and Vine (about as unglamorous an intersection as you will ever find, especially when seeing emergency patients at 10:30 pm) and at a clinic near CBS Television City (where I once fixed the cracked denture of a famous Vaudevillian who was appearing across the street).
Home Teeth Whitening
Everybody loves a bright white smile,
and there are many different procedures available
to help you improve the look of yours.
At any rate, it really didn't matter at which socioeconomic level my patients came from. This was Los Angeles; everyone was very image conscious about their smiles. Back in the 70's, cosmetic dentistry meant using "Pearl Drops" toothpaste.
A lot has changed in the past 28 years, and especially in the last 10 years in the field of teeth whitening, both in the dental office and at home.
Two Methods For Teeth Whitening
Dental (In-Office) Teeth Whitening and Home Teeth Whitening
1) Dental (In-Office) Teeth Whitening is effective, but can be a time consuming and expensive procedure.
I can tell you from first-hand experience, dentists love the patient who wants his or her teeth bleached in the dental office. Back in the early '90's, there was only one option!
Your dentist would make molds of your teeth, send them off to a lab, and in 5-10 days receive back your custom fitted mouthpiece. Then you would sit in the dental chair for 1-2 hours, with these plastic molds filled with peroxide (at a very low concentration) pressed against your teeth and gums.
After 3-4 visits, you teeth would be officially declared whiter (and usually they were), and you would be sent home with a nice, fat $500 - $1,000 bill to pay. With whiter teeth of course.
Now, I'll be the first to admit, dental office whitening has come a long way in the past 10 years. Now, the most popular dental whitening procedure known as laser bleaching (or power bleaching, argon bleaching, etc.) which basically consists of the application of a concentrated peroxide gel spread onto your teeth, and for the next hour you sit in a dental chair with your mouth wide open, while a special light (usually argon) is shined onto the paste which chemically reacts with the peroxide to complete the bleaching process in as short a time period as possible.
This procedure does work (although many dentists say that you get a whiter smile by repeated tray applications because the peroxide stays in contact with your teeth for longer periods of time); however, the downside is that you still get stuck with that fat $500 - $1,000 bill (at least for the good dental whitening!). Furthermore, you still need to either come back 6 months later for another whitening (excuse me - a touch up!), or you're given some take home bleaching items (then, why did you spend $500-$1000 dollars for the in-office procedure?)
Fortunately (as with most other things in life), technology stepped in to make teeth whitening easier and more affordable!
2) Home Teeth Whitening is now as effective as dental office treatments, in addition to being less expensive and more convenient.
It's now possible (in almost all cases) to achieve dental office quality teeth whitening, from the comfort of your own home.
At-Home teeth whitening and bleaching has taken a bite out of (sorry about the pun) the in-office power bleaching systems, where millions of corporate advertising dollars now compete with the comfort of doing it at home.
And rightly so...
Up until a few years ago, teeth whitening was a fairly complex process - the hard part was making those fitted mouthpieces for each patient. For this reason alone, home teeth whitening was not an option for most people.
Over 50% OFF Our Most Popular Whitening Kit
Essentially, There Are 3 Different Types of Home Teeth Whitening Available:
1. Brush-on whitening
2. Strips you stick on your teeth
3. Trays with bleaching gels
1) Brush-on Whitening
Brush-on whitening in principal is a great concept. Just brush on the formula, allow it to dry on your teeth, and let it stay on your teeth overnight. Sounds simple, right?
In reality, brush-on whitening is designed for the segment of the public that is in love with shortcuts. (In other words, for those people who don't want to spend the time to do it right the first time).
Why doesn't Brush-on Whitening work?
Brush-on Whitening has Two Main Flaws:
Flaw 1: When you brush on the formula, it relies on the premise that it will dry on your teeth. This is great in principle, but if you get the formula wet (i.e. from saliva) then it becomes REALLY easy to rub off parts of the whitening formulas. Guess what happens if you rub off only part of the whitening formula? You got it - you don't get an even whitening result! It turns out patchy, and blotchy. It reminds me of the time I painted our first apartment...don't ask!
Flaw 2: The second flaw with most brush-on whitening, in my opinion, is the ingredients. If you look at the ingredient list of the leading brush on whitener, you'll see the first ingredient is alcohol - and if you've read my free ebook, The Bad Breath Bible, then you already know that alcohol is terrible for your breath! Actually, I'm sure the reason why they've added alcohol to their formula is because it's needed as a desiccant (something that dries out the formula so that it supposedly stays on your teeth at night); however, that still doesn't diminish the effect it can have on your gums and your breath. Also, most of these brush-on whitening formulas contain glycerin, which literally sucks the moisture out from the enamel of your teeth and is the primary cause of most tooth sensitivity from whitening.
2) Teeth Whitening Strips
The second most common type of home teeth whitening is using whitening strips. The main lure of this type of home teeth whitening is their simplicity of use. They're easy to apply and no preparation is necessary. Again, everybody loves shortcuts, right? Unfortunately, once again that's exactly the type of teeth whitening you end up getting! Let me explain...
Why don't Teeth Whitening Strips work?
Strips that stick on your teeth usually consist of an upper strip and a lower strip each pressed against the outer surface of your teeth. Now think about this for a second...are your teeth completely flat? Of course not - they have recesses and grooves, particularly between each tooth. Well imagine you're painting a fence, and you just slapped paint on the outside, without taking the time to paint the grooves between each wooden board. That fence would look pretty funny wouldn't it? Nicely painted on the outside, but in the grooves between each wooden board, still dark and dingy, with all of the old paint showing.
When you use whitening strips, the same thing can easily happen to your teeth if you're not careful. The whiter your teeth become, the more pronounced those dingy cracks seem! Eventually it can end up looking like you have small gaps between your teeth. Definitely not the desired result!
3) Trays With Bleaching Gels (MOST EFFECTIVE!)
Trays with bleaching gels still provide the best combination of the most affordable and most efficient tooth whitening available. Since I'm a dentist, I can let you in on a few little secrets here.
First, most of the bleaching gels available at your dentist are exactly the same. There is very little difference from one dentist to another, because the gels are formulated by a small number of manufacturers.
Second, most of the bleaching gels available at retail stores are of very poor quality. They've been sitting in a warehouse or on a truck for who knows how long - and, because they are designed to be "low cost" (with low cost being sometimes the only consideration), they have very low concentrations of active ingredients.
Make sure you use a bleaching gel with a concentration of at least 21% - this means a whiter result in a shorter period of time!
Home Teeth Whitening
Teeth Before Starting TheraBreath Treatment
Home Teeth Whitening
Teeth After 2 Weeks of TheraBreath Treatment
Third, the one thing in common between dental bleaching gels and store gels is that they both use glycerin as a carrying agent. Now there is nothing wrong with glycerin; it is not dangerous in any way. However, when mixed with carbamide peroxide the glycerin is used to draw water out of the enamel in order to speed up the bleaching process. This is what causes the most common side effect of bleaching - sensitive teeth! (By the way, my TheraBrite Formula Whitening Kits don't use a glycerin base - that's just one reason why it's so unique.)
Armed With This New Knowledge, What Should You Do?
Well, there are 4 KEY COMPONENTS to making sure you get the best possible tooth whitening every time you whiten your teeth.
1. Immediately before bleaching, brush your teeth with an oxygenating toothpaste combined with the finest natural polishing agents AND aloe vera to strengthen your gums and prevent any sensitivity.
2. Use form-fitting mouth trays that are fitted to your specific bite. Make sure they fit snugly around each tooth, and at all points they press firmly around the sides of your teeth and gums.
3. Use a 21% concentrated bleaching gel based on carbamide peroxide that is formulated specifically to reduce the sensitivity to your teeth and gums. (In other words - no glycerin!)
4. Immediately after bleaching, enhance the effect by using an oxygenating oral rinse. Make sure to use a mouthwash without alcohol as this can actually chemically curtail the bleaching effect.
The TheraBrite Deluxe Home Whitening Kit
The TheraBrite Whitening System is one of the most effective home whitening systems. It uses a moldable tray system that contains mouthpieces which you can actually fit to your mouth. You mold them by soaking them for a few seconds in warm water, then you press the plastic up (or down) against your teeth and gums. When the plastic cools you have a nice soft plastic mouthpiece that is fitted to the curves of your particular smile.
TheraBrite and How It Works to Whiten Teeth
TheraBrite PLUS oxygenating formula safely whitens your teeth with the power of oyygen (OXYD-8)!
To make sure your teeth are as clean as a whistle, and to make sure that the TheraBrite bleaching gel directly contacts your tooth enamel (instead of dental plaque), brush your teeth for two minutes with an oxygenating toothpaste immediately before bleaching. You should use as strong of a bleaching gel as possible to ensure that the time your teeth are in contact with the whitening gel is well spent. The older gels used 16% carbamide peroxide, but the newer gels, like TheraBrite Whitening, can be as high as 22% peroxide. However, it's imperative that the gel does not contain any glycerin to reduce any sensitivity the whitening gel may have on your teeth and gums. A flavored bleaching gel also helps - why not make the experience as pleasant as possible? No need for it to taste bad!
TheraBrite Deluxe Whitening Kit
The TheraBrite PLUS Deluxe Whitening Kit is the most effective home-whitening available. The Thermoplastic mouthgards mold to the contours of your teeth and gums, while the 21%+ Carbamide Peroxide Gel delivers the fastest home whitening available.
After your TheraBrite At-Home Bleaching session, it is very wise to rinse thoroughly with an oxygenating mouthwash to prolong the effect (an alcohol-based mouthwash will chemically curtail the bleaching process).
Follow this procedure 5 days in a row, doing the top and bottom arch separately for comfort (you can try to do both at once if you prefer - I actually do it this way, but everyone is different), and you will have a noticeably whiter smile - guaranteed!
Over 50% OFF Our Most Popular Whitening Kit
View All TheraBrite Whitening Products
It's now possible in almost all cases to achieve dental office quality teeth whitening from the comfort of your own home. The best teeth whitening systems use a moldable tray system that contains fitted mouthpieces.
Over 50% OFF Our Most Popular Whitening Kit
Related Products
TheraBrite PLUS Deluxe Whitening Kit (+ FREE ZOX)
Price: $73.00
TheraBrite PLUS Oral Rinse
Price: $13.50
TheraBrite PLUS Toothpaste
Price: $13.50
Testimonials
TheraBreath products are used by millions of people worldwide. Read some of their success stories below.
"In a simple sense, THEY WORK! "
-Thank you! RDH Tampa FL
"Becasue I am a smoker, I have bad breath and stained teeth. I've been using your TheraBrite products and find the refreshing/cleaning feel unlike any of the many products I’ve tried. My teeth also stay white for so much longer."
-David E. (Woodbridge, VA)
"I was desperate to find a product to help my discolored teeth. I was about to spend over $1000 for bleaching. Thank God I found TheraBrite. I now have white teeth and great breath. My confidence is back!"
-Amber C. (Arlington, TX)
I began practicing dentistry in 1975 - at that time I had just graduated with my DDS degree from UCLA and was eager to make my mark as a dentist. I worked a double shift at a dental clinic near the corner of Hollywood and Vine (about as unglamorous an intersection as you will ever find, especially when seeing emergency patients at 10:30 pm) and at a clinic near CBS Television City (where I once fixed the cracked denture of a famous Vaudevillian who was appearing across the street).
Home Teeth Whitening
Everybody loves a bright white smile,
and there are many different procedures available
to help you improve the look of yours.
At any rate, it really didn't matter at which socioeconomic level my patients came from. This was Los Angeles; everyone was very image conscious about their smiles. Back in the 70's, cosmetic dentistry meant using "Pearl Drops" toothpaste.
A lot has changed in the past 28 years, and especially in the last 10 years in the field of teeth whitening, both in the dental office and at home.
Two Methods For Teeth Whitening
Dental (In-Office) Teeth Whitening and Home Teeth Whitening
1) Dental (In-Office) Teeth Whitening is effective, but can be a time consuming and expensive procedure.
I can tell you from first-hand experience, dentists love the patient who wants his or her teeth bleached in the dental office. Back in the early '90's, there was only one option!
Your dentist would make molds of your teeth, send them off to a lab, and in 5-10 days receive back your custom fitted mouthpiece. Then you would sit in the dental chair for 1-2 hours, with these plastic molds filled with peroxide (at a very low concentration) pressed against your teeth and gums.
After 3-4 visits, you teeth would be officially declared whiter (and usually they were), and you would be sent home with a nice, fat $500 - $1,000 bill to pay. With whiter teeth of course.
Now, I'll be the first to admit, dental office whitening has come a long way in the past 10 years. Now, the most popular dental whitening procedure known as laser bleaching (or power bleaching, argon bleaching, etc.) which basically consists of the application of a concentrated peroxide gel spread onto your teeth, and for the next hour you sit in a dental chair with your mouth wide open, while a special light (usually argon) is shined onto the paste which chemically reacts with the peroxide to complete the bleaching process in as short a time period as possible.
This procedure does work (although many dentists say that you get a whiter smile by repeated tray applications because the peroxide stays in contact with your teeth for longer periods of time); however, the downside is that you still get stuck with that fat $500 - $1,000 bill (at least for the good dental whitening!). Furthermore, you still need to either come back 6 months later for another whitening (excuse me - a touch up!), or you're given some take home bleaching items (then, why did you spend $500-$1000 dollars for the in-office procedure?)
Fortunately (as with most other things in life), technology stepped in to make teeth whitening easier and more affordable!
2) Home Teeth Whitening is now as effective as dental office treatments, in addition to being less expensive and more convenient.
It's now possible (in almost all cases) to achieve dental office quality teeth whitening, from the comfort of your own home.
At-Home teeth whitening and bleaching has taken a bite out of (sorry about the pun) the in-office power bleaching systems, where millions of corporate advertising dollars now compete with the comfort of doing it at home.
And rightly so...
Up until a few years ago, teeth whitening was a fairly complex process - the hard part was making those fitted mouthpieces for each patient. For this reason alone, home teeth whitening was not an option for most people.
Over 50% OFF Our Most Popular Whitening Kit
Essentially, There Are 3 Different Types of Home Teeth Whitening Available:
1. Brush-on whitening
2. Strips you stick on your teeth
3. Trays with bleaching gels
1) Brush-on Whitening
Brush-on whitening in principal is a great concept. Just brush on the formula, allow it to dry on your teeth, and let it stay on your teeth overnight. Sounds simple, right?
In reality, brush-on whitening is designed for the segment of the public that is in love with shortcuts. (In other words, for those people who don't want to spend the time to do it right the first time).
Why doesn't Brush-on Whitening work?
Brush-on Whitening has Two Main Flaws:
Flaw 1: When you brush on the formula, it relies on the premise that it will dry on your teeth. This is great in principle, but if you get the formula wet (i.e. from saliva) then it becomes REALLY easy to rub off parts of the whitening formulas. Guess what happens if you rub off only part of the whitening formula? You got it - you don't get an even whitening result! It turns out patchy, and blotchy. It reminds me of the time I painted our first apartment...don't ask!
Flaw 2: The second flaw with most brush-on whitening, in my opinion, is the ingredients. If you look at the ingredient list of the leading brush on whitener, you'll see the first ingredient is alcohol - and if you've read my free ebook, The Bad Breath Bible, then you already know that alcohol is terrible for your breath! Actually, I'm sure the reason why they've added alcohol to their formula is because it's needed as a desiccant (something that dries out the formula so that it supposedly stays on your teeth at night); however, that still doesn't diminish the effect it can have on your gums and your breath. Also, most of these brush-on whitening formulas contain glycerin, which literally sucks the moisture out from the enamel of your teeth and is the primary cause of most tooth sensitivity from whitening.
2) Teeth Whitening Strips
The second most common type of home teeth whitening is using whitening strips. The main lure of this type of home teeth whitening is their simplicity of use. They're easy to apply and no preparation is necessary. Again, everybody loves shortcuts, right? Unfortunately, once again that's exactly the type of teeth whitening you end up getting! Let me explain...
Why don't Teeth Whitening Strips work?
Strips that stick on your teeth usually consist of an upper strip and a lower strip each pressed against the outer surface of your teeth. Now think about this for a second...are your teeth completely flat? Of course not - they have recesses and grooves, particularly between each tooth. Well imagine you're painting a fence, and you just slapped paint on the outside, without taking the time to paint the grooves between each wooden board. That fence would look pretty funny wouldn't it? Nicely painted on the outside, but in the grooves between each wooden board, still dark and dingy, with all of the old paint showing.
When you use whitening strips, the same thing can easily happen to your teeth if you're not careful. The whiter your teeth become, the more pronounced those dingy cracks seem! Eventually it can end up looking like you have small gaps between your teeth. Definitely not the desired result!
3) Trays With Bleaching Gels (MOST EFFECTIVE!)
Trays with bleaching gels still provide the best combination of the most affordable and most efficient tooth whitening available. Since I'm a dentist, I can let you in on a few little secrets here.
First, most of the bleaching gels available at your dentist are exactly the same. There is very little difference from one dentist to another, because the gels are formulated by a small number of manufacturers.
Second, most of the bleaching gels available at retail stores are of very poor quality. They've been sitting in a warehouse or on a truck for who knows how long - and, because they are designed to be "low cost" (with low cost being sometimes the only consideration), they have very low concentrations of active ingredients.
Make sure you use a bleaching gel with a concentration of at least 21% - this means a whiter result in a shorter period of time!
Home Teeth Whitening
Teeth Before Starting TheraBreath Treatment
Home Teeth Whitening
Teeth After 2 Weeks of TheraBreath Treatment
Third, the one thing in common between dental bleaching gels and store gels is that they both use glycerin as a carrying agent. Now there is nothing wrong with glycerin; it is not dangerous in any way. However, when mixed with carbamide peroxide the glycerin is used to draw water out of the enamel in order to speed up the bleaching process. This is what causes the most common side effect of bleaching - sensitive teeth! (By the way, my TheraBrite Formula Whitening Kits don't use a glycerin base - that's just one reason why it's so unique.)
Armed With This New Knowledge, What Should You Do?
Well, there are 4 KEY COMPONENTS to making sure you get the best possible tooth whitening every time you whiten your teeth.
1. Immediately before bleaching, brush your teeth with an oxygenating toothpaste combined with the finest natural polishing agents AND aloe vera to strengthen your gums and prevent any sensitivity.
2. Use form-fitting mouth trays that are fitted to your specific bite. Make sure they fit snugly around each tooth, and at all points they press firmly around the sides of your teeth and gums.
3. Use a 21% concentrated bleaching gel based on carbamide peroxide that is formulated specifically to reduce the sensitivity to your teeth and gums. (In other words - no glycerin!)
4. Immediately after bleaching, enhance the effect by using an oxygenating oral rinse. Make sure to use a mouthwash without alcohol as this can actually chemically curtail the bleaching effect.
The TheraBrite Deluxe Home Whitening Kit
The TheraBrite Whitening System is one of the most effective home whitening systems. It uses a moldable tray system that contains mouthpieces which you can actually fit to your mouth. You mold them by soaking them for a few seconds in warm water, then you press the plastic up (or down) against your teeth and gums. When the plastic cools you have a nice soft plastic mouthpiece that is fitted to the curves of your particular smile.
TheraBrite and How It Works to Whiten Teeth
TheraBrite PLUS oxygenating formula safely whitens your teeth with the power of oyygen (OXYD-8)!
To make sure your teeth are as clean as a whistle, and to make sure that the TheraBrite bleaching gel directly contacts your tooth enamel (instead of dental plaque), brush your teeth for two minutes with an oxygenating toothpaste immediately before bleaching. You should use as strong of a bleaching gel as possible to ensure that the time your teeth are in contact with the whitening gel is well spent. The older gels used 16% carbamide peroxide, but the newer gels, like TheraBrite Whitening, can be as high as 22% peroxide. However, it's imperative that the gel does not contain any glycerin to reduce any sensitivity the whitening gel may have on your teeth and gums. A flavored bleaching gel also helps - why not make the experience as pleasant as possible? No need for it to taste bad!
TheraBrite Deluxe Whitening Kit
The TheraBrite PLUS Deluxe Whitening Kit is the most effective home-whitening available. The Thermoplastic mouthgards mold to the contours of your teeth and gums, while the 21%+ Carbamide Peroxide Gel delivers the fastest home whitening available.
After your TheraBrite At-Home Bleaching session, it is very wise to rinse thoroughly with an oxygenating mouthwash to prolong the effect (an alcohol-based mouthwash will chemically curtail the bleaching process).
Follow this procedure 5 days in a row, doing the top and bottom arch separately for comfort (you can try to do both at once if you prefer - I actually do it this way, but everyone is different), and you will have a noticeably whiter smile - guaranteed!
Over 50% OFF Our Most Popular Whitening Kit
View All TheraBrite Whitening Products
Monday, October 26, 2009
Dr. Harold Katz Talks About Bad Breath
From the Desk of Dr Harold Katz
As a Dentist specializing in the treatment of halitosis, I have treated over ten thousand patients through the California Breath Clinics. I typically start each first consultation with a brief overview I thought would be helpful to share with you. It goes a little something like this...
Everyone has the germs responsible for bad breath living on their tongue and in the back of their throat. Under the right circumstances, those germs will cause bad breath. The trick to always having fresh breath is stopping those bad breath germs from gobbling up protein, digesting it, and excreting sulfur all over your mouth... Sorry about painting that picture, but it's a very accurate description of what takes place in your mouth every day.
Luckily, it's not complicated to keep bad breath bacteria in check. Here are five simple and common sense tips you can use every day to minimize opportunities for halitosis to strike:
1. Drink plenty of water
It's good for you. It keeps you strong, thin, healthy, and young looking. It also keeps your breath fresh. A well hydrated mouth is one rich with saliva. Saliva is your body's own and most effective germ fighter. Drink more water, have more saliva, control mouth germs, have fresher breath. Simple, right?
2. Check your prescriptions
Medication that may improve your overall health may also improve the environment for bad breath germs. Many prescriptions have dry mouth as a side effect. Dry mouth means a lack of saliva and rampant bacterial growth. If you experience Dry Mouth from prescriptions, using a regimen such a TheraBreath Toothpaste and Oral Rinse will help restore a healthy amount of moisture and encourage saliva production. A healthy level of saliva is necessary to maintain fresh breath.
3. Rinse after every meal (even if it's only with water)
Most people brush only once a day. As a dentist, it's disappointing to say the least. That means that food you have at breakfast after your morning brushing has a chance to feed bacteria in your mouth for 23 or so hours. That's more than enough time to not only feed bad breath bacteria but to encourage plaque and decay. If I can't get you to brush after every meal, at least rinse with drinking water. Swish it around vigorously to remove traces of sugars and proteins and dislodge any food that may stick in between teeth and gums. Then spit or swallow, as the occasion dictates.
Remember however that water will simply remove pollutants that will feed bacteria that cause bad breath. To effectively control this bacteria you will need to use a toothpaste and mouthwash with an active ingredient such as TheraBreath. And don't be like most people... remember to brush every morning AND every night. Your dentist will thank you.
4. Protein supplements feed germs too
Many nutritional supplements like whey and creatine are a germs perfect snack. It makes sense. Those supplements are designed to rapidly and efficiently feed your body. On the way to your stomach they feed hungry germs in your oral cavity as well. If you are taking protein supplements make sure you carefully and thoroughly brush and rinse after every dose. Don't give bad breath germs a free meal.
5. A white or yellow tongue means germs are having a party
The colored coating on your tongue is actually a layer of bacteria waste. There, I said it. If your tongue has a thick coating that is white or yellow, it typically means bacteria are running wild. You will usually see such a coating if you forgot to brush the night before, after drinking alcohol which both feeds bacteria and dries your mouth, or if you are having a minor sore throat or other bacterial infection.
To help the problem, clean your tongue as well as the inside of your cheeks with either a tongue scraper or toothbrush covered with TheraBreath Toothpaste. This will quickly remove the coating and begin to control the bacteria producing it. Left unchecked, this bacteria can lead to much worse oral care problems than simple halitosis.
My patients have always found these tips helpful, and I hope you will too.
Yours in good health,
Dr Harold Katz
As a Dentist specializing in the treatment of halitosis, I have treated over ten thousand patients through the California Breath Clinics. I typically start each first consultation with a brief overview I thought would be helpful to share with you. It goes a little something like this...
Everyone has the germs responsible for bad breath living on their tongue and in the back of their throat. Under the right circumstances, those germs will cause bad breath. The trick to always having fresh breath is stopping those bad breath germs from gobbling up protein, digesting it, and excreting sulfur all over your mouth... Sorry about painting that picture, but it's a very accurate description of what takes place in your mouth every day.
Luckily, it's not complicated to keep bad breath bacteria in check. Here are five simple and common sense tips you can use every day to minimize opportunities for halitosis to strike:
1. Drink plenty of water
It's good for you. It keeps you strong, thin, healthy, and young looking. It also keeps your breath fresh. A well hydrated mouth is one rich with saliva. Saliva is your body's own and most effective germ fighter. Drink more water, have more saliva, control mouth germs, have fresher breath. Simple, right?
2. Check your prescriptions
Medication that may improve your overall health may also improve the environment for bad breath germs. Many prescriptions have dry mouth as a side effect. Dry mouth means a lack of saliva and rampant bacterial growth. If you experience Dry Mouth from prescriptions, using a regimen such a TheraBreath Toothpaste and Oral Rinse will help restore a healthy amount of moisture and encourage saliva production. A healthy level of saliva is necessary to maintain fresh breath.
3. Rinse after every meal (even if it's only with water)
Most people brush only once a day. As a dentist, it's disappointing to say the least. That means that food you have at breakfast after your morning brushing has a chance to feed bacteria in your mouth for 23 or so hours. That's more than enough time to not only feed bad breath bacteria but to encourage plaque and decay. If I can't get you to brush after every meal, at least rinse with drinking water. Swish it around vigorously to remove traces of sugars and proteins and dislodge any food that may stick in between teeth and gums. Then spit or swallow, as the occasion dictates.
Remember however that water will simply remove pollutants that will feed bacteria that cause bad breath. To effectively control this bacteria you will need to use a toothpaste and mouthwash with an active ingredient such as TheraBreath. And don't be like most people... remember to brush every morning AND every night. Your dentist will thank you.
4. Protein supplements feed germs too
Many nutritional supplements like whey and creatine are a germs perfect snack. It makes sense. Those supplements are designed to rapidly and efficiently feed your body. On the way to your stomach they feed hungry germs in your oral cavity as well. If you are taking protein supplements make sure you carefully and thoroughly brush and rinse after every dose. Don't give bad breath germs a free meal.
5. A white or yellow tongue means germs are having a party
The colored coating on your tongue is actually a layer of bacteria waste. There, I said it. If your tongue has a thick coating that is white or yellow, it typically means bacteria are running wild. You will usually see such a coating if you forgot to brush the night before, after drinking alcohol which both feeds bacteria and dries your mouth, or if you are having a minor sore throat or other bacterial infection.
To help the problem, clean your tongue as well as the inside of your cheeks with either a tongue scraper or toothbrush covered with TheraBreath Toothpaste. This will quickly remove the coating and begin to control the bacteria producing it. Left unchecked, this bacteria can lead to much worse oral care problems than simple halitosis.
My patients have always found these tips helpful, and I hope you will too.
Yours in good health,
Dr Harold Katz
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
I would like to welcome Dr. Harold Katz as our guest blogger
Bad Breath Spray Stops Halitosis
By Dr. Harold Katz - BAD BREATH EXPERT
SUMMARY:
Bad Breath Spray Stops Halitosis and Bad Breath in the Throat and Tonsils
Related Products
TheraBreath PLUS 'Extinguisher' Spray
Price: $8.50
Testimonials
TheraBreath products are used by millions of people worldwide. Read some of their success stories below.
"My husband found this breath spray after trying many kinds to remedy his bad breath. Nothing has worked until now. Thanks to the "New TheraBreath Plus Oral Spray" the bad breath has taken a hiatus."
--Katherine
"I did not know what I had going on in my throat until this year. I 'had' tonsil stones. I ordrerd Aktiv Oxigen Serum, tablets and the kit and 14 days later I had no sign of any tonsil stones. My mouth and tongue have never felt and looked this good!"
-Lin N. (Reno, NV)
"My Chinese husband Nick, had severe bad breath problems. It put a real damper on our intimate love life. Thanks to TheraBreath PLUS products our lives have changed. He is so confident in kissing me, and the 'spark' is back again."
-Sarah L. (Carson City, NV)
If you are like me, then you're probably thinking "Not another breath spray - isn't rinsing and brushing enough?"
It's a valid question......and one that I think I've tried to answer before, but I don't mind doing again.
Let me start by saying this - bad breath is the odor of the volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) that are created from the anaerobic bacteria that live in your mouth, between your teeth, beneath the surface of your tongue, in the back of your throat, and in your tonsils (if they exist).
Bad Breath Spray should go on the Back of the TongueSee the picture to the left.... reaching your mouth, teeth, and front of your tongue in regions D, E, and F is simple - tens of thousands of you do it every day with our TheraBreath Oral Rinses and Toothpastes. But what about the production of odors farther back (Regions A, B, and C) - in the very back of your tongue, deep in your throat or in your tonsils?
When you gargle with an oral rinse (mouthwash) - most of time it can be very difficult to reach way down deep in your throat. Many of my patients find that a 'Gag Reflex' kicks in (this happens automatically in most people when something touches a sensitive area in the back of your throat and tongue). So what can you do? To stop bad breath you MUST neutralize the sulfur compounds that have been created by the anaerobic bacteria that live in deep recesses of your throat and tongue.
In response to this exact concern, I've created a breath spray that addresses this problem. TheraBreath PLUS Extinguisher Breath Spray has a unique 7.5cm long, swiveling, extended head which holds down the tongue and sprays the potent Therabreath PLUS formula directly on the bacterial breeding ground located in the back of your tongue and throat. It's the only patented Extra Strength formula that can literally reach the part of your throat and tongue that no other formula can touch!
Many of you have told me during your first clinical appointment, that you've always felt something stuck in your throat - and you've attributed that uncomfortable feeling to your breath and taste disorder - this spray was designed to solve that problem.
Please remember that for chronic conditions, the only way to prevent the anaerobic bacteria from creating VSC's is through daily use of an oxygenating line of products such as TheraBreath Oral Rinse and Toothgel (now at Albertsons, SavOn, Jewel, Osco, and Acme). For specific instructions on how to do this, see the Instructions of Use.
As with all of our formulas, the PLUS Extinguisher Spray passed all tests at my San Francisco clinic with flying colors. It has made those test patients extremely happy, especially since many of the chronic and lingering cases involve odor production that may be beyond the reach of just rinsing and tooth brushing (which should still be part of everybody's daily regimen.)
It's especially useful for patients with:
1. Chronic bad breath who want extra relief throughout the day
2. Light, occasional (situational) breath or taste disorder, who want instant relief without an overbearing strong minty taste or smell
3. Dry mouth sufferers, whose tongue tends to become extra sticky as the day goes on
TheraBreath PLUS Extinguisher Spray is small enough to carry in your pocket, purse, or briefcase, so that you can even use it before or after your favorite garlic dish.
I hope you can now see how a breath spray (especially one that actually reaches the source of bad breath) can help you regain your confidence.
By Dr. Harold Katz - BAD BREATH EXPERT
SUMMARY:
Bad Breath Spray Stops Halitosis and Bad Breath in the Throat and Tonsils
Related Products
TheraBreath PLUS 'Extinguisher' Spray
Price: $8.50
Testimonials
TheraBreath products are used by millions of people worldwide. Read some of their success stories below.
"My husband found this breath spray after trying many kinds to remedy his bad breath. Nothing has worked until now. Thanks to the "New TheraBreath Plus Oral Spray" the bad breath has taken a hiatus."
--Katherine
"I did not know what I had going on in my throat until this year. I 'had' tonsil stones. I ordrerd Aktiv Oxigen Serum, tablets and the kit and 14 days later I had no sign of any tonsil stones. My mouth and tongue have never felt and looked this good!"
-Lin N. (Reno, NV)
"My Chinese husband Nick, had severe bad breath problems. It put a real damper on our intimate love life. Thanks to TheraBreath PLUS products our lives have changed. He is so confident in kissing me, and the 'spark' is back again."
-Sarah L. (Carson City, NV)
If you are like me, then you're probably thinking "Not another breath spray - isn't rinsing and brushing enough?"
It's a valid question......and one that I think I've tried to answer before, but I don't mind doing again.
Let me start by saying this - bad breath is the odor of the volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) that are created from the anaerobic bacteria that live in your mouth, between your teeth, beneath the surface of your tongue, in the back of your throat, and in your tonsils (if they exist).
Bad Breath Spray should go on the Back of the TongueSee the picture to the left.... reaching your mouth, teeth, and front of your tongue in regions D, E, and F is simple - tens of thousands of you do it every day with our TheraBreath Oral Rinses and Toothpastes. But what about the production of odors farther back (Regions A, B, and C) - in the very back of your tongue, deep in your throat or in your tonsils?
When you gargle with an oral rinse (mouthwash) - most of time it can be very difficult to reach way down deep in your throat. Many of my patients find that a 'Gag Reflex' kicks in (this happens automatically in most people when something touches a sensitive area in the back of your throat and tongue). So what can you do? To stop bad breath you MUST neutralize the sulfur compounds that have been created by the anaerobic bacteria that live in deep recesses of your throat and tongue.
In response to this exact concern, I've created a breath spray that addresses this problem. TheraBreath PLUS Extinguisher Breath Spray has a unique 7.5cm long, swiveling, extended head which holds down the tongue and sprays the potent Therabreath PLUS formula directly on the bacterial breeding ground located in the back of your tongue and throat. It's the only patented Extra Strength formula that can literally reach the part of your throat and tongue that no other formula can touch!
Many of you have told me during your first clinical appointment, that you've always felt something stuck in your throat - and you've attributed that uncomfortable feeling to your breath and taste disorder - this spray was designed to solve that problem.
Please remember that for chronic conditions, the only way to prevent the anaerobic bacteria from creating VSC's is through daily use of an oxygenating line of products such as TheraBreath Oral Rinse and Toothgel (now at Albertsons, SavOn, Jewel, Osco, and Acme). For specific instructions on how to do this, see the Instructions of Use.
As with all of our formulas, the PLUS Extinguisher Spray passed all tests at my San Francisco clinic with flying colors. It has made those test patients extremely happy, especially since many of the chronic and lingering cases involve odor production that may be beyond the reach of just rinsing and tooth brushing (which should still be part of everybody's daily regimen.)
It's especially useful for patients with:
1. Chronic bad breath who want extra relief throughout the day
2. Light, occasional (situational) breath or taste disorder, who want instant relief without an overbearing strong minty taste or smell
3. Dry mouth sufferers, whose tongue tends to become extra sticky as the day goes on
TheraBreath PLUS Extinguisher Spray is small enough to carry in your pocket, purse, or briefcase, so that you can even use it before or after your favorite garlic dish.
I hope you can now see how a breath spray (especially one that actually reaches the source of bad breath) can help you regain your confidence.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Unemployed And No Dental Insurance
One of the greatest ways to supply dental care for
your household is by means of dental plans.
OK, what are dental plans? How do they work?
What makes them different from insurance company's?
All exceedingly good questions. First lets start off with insurance company's.
Firstly Insurance company's as a rule do not include any cosmetics or orthodontics.
There is a deductible for every procedure.
Insurance is not easily affordable unless you are
employed as well as receive a plan from them. The employer
frequently pays for the largest part of the cost.
There may well be added limits involved such as
pre existing condition. There are annual limits on
how much the insurance corporation will pay. Subsequent to that
it all comes out of your pocket. Additionally your dentist
will have to fill out forms afterward submit to the
insurance company to obtain payment. This adds
time and cost to your care.
By means of a dental plan everybody will be able to purchase a plan for the individual or a family. The family plans present
the best price.
I found myself unemployed once and considered necessary care for my household. I purchased a dental plan and saved many hundreds that year.
I thought it was exceptionally nice that I could take my kid
to the dentist 24 hours as soon as I filled out a simple
online form. I found a dentist in my region that accepted my discount card.
I got 60% off of the procedure. You need to be knowledgeable
that several plans will be different on the price cut so shop around.
The doctor was pleased since he was compensated after services
were rendered and there were no forms to send for compensation.
An additional benefit from dental plans over insurance is
that they pay for orthodontics. As a rule insurance
company's do not.
In conclusion, if you find yourself laid off or you
are employed by a company that does not offer dental
insurance then the dental plan could be an appealing
option for you and your family.
your household is by means of dental plans.
OK, what are dental plans? How do they work?
What makes them different from insurance company's?
All exceedingly good questions. First lets start off with insurance company's.
Firstly Insurance company's as a rule do not include any cosmetics or orthodontics.
There is a deductible for every procedure.
Insurance is not easily affordable unless you are
employed as well as receive a plan from them. The employer
frequently pays for the largest part of the cost.
There may well be added limits involved such as
pre existing condition. There are annual limits on
how much the insurance corporation will pay. Subsequent to that
it all comes out of your pocket. Additionally your dentist
will have to fill out forms afterward submit to the
insurance company to obtain payment. This adds
time and cost to your care.
By means of a dental plan everybody will be able to purchase a plan for the individual or a family. The family plans present
the best price.
I found myself unemployed once and considered necessary care for my household. I purchased a dental plan and saved many hundreds that year.
I thought it was exceptionally nice that I could take my kid
to the dentist 24 hours as soon as I filled out a simple
online form. I found a dentist in my region that accepted my discount card.
I got 60% off of the procedure. You need to be knowledgeable
that several plans will be different on the price cut so shop around.
The doctor was pleased since he was compensated after services
were rendered and there were no forms to send for compensation.
An additional benefit from dental plans over insurance is
that they pay for orthodontics. As a rule insurance
company's do not.
In conclusion, if you find yourself laid off or you
are employed by a company that does not offer dental
insurance then the dental plan could be an appealing
option for you and your family.
Friday, October 9, 2009
My War With Oral Bacteria
You have just gone to the dentist, Your dentist or hygienist
has just told you that you have gingivitis. you are told that
there is way too much blood during cleaning. Good oral hygiene
is discussed with you. And you have the beginnings of a cavity
forming. You are informed that if you don't get this under
control the infection may go into the bone. If that happens
you may loose your teeth.
They give you a new toothbrush and a tooth paste sample
and some dental floss, then they send you home.
All the time you are thinking, I do brush twice each day. I
floss each day or almost each day. So why do I have this problem?
Why is my breath bad all the time? How do I fix it?
Folks I just described myself and what happened to me many
times at the dentist. I just didn't understand why I kept having
these problems. Especially when I did what the doctor said.
I brushed for two minuets twice each day. I flossed at least
four or five times each week. I also used an oral rinse. After
all this each time I went to the dentist I was told the same
thing. Poor oral hygiene!
I also noticed that as you get older these problems seem to
worsen. so I began studying oral health and oral bacteria. I
learned what it does in your mouth. Then I researched the best
remedy for treatment. I will share all of this with you today.
First a brief lesson on oral bacteria and what it does. There
are around 650 different types of bacteria in your mouth at all
times. They thrive on sugars and starches. So after you eat they
grow like wild fire. As they consume the sugars they produce
acid as a waste product. This acid is what erodes the enamel in
your teeth. These bacteria form a sticky film on your teeth and
your entire oral surface. This is important, they are everywhere
in your mouth. OK they form a film that turns into a plaque. This
is also important. You don't get it all with a tooth brush. The
plaque you don't get is turned into a scale that only your dentist
or hygienist can get to. Also this tends to grow under the gum line.
This is where most of the problems come from.
The first thing I did was to throw away my tooth brush and purchase
an electric tooth brush that rotates and has a back section that
moves back and forth. This will help remove more of the plaque
than a regular tooth brush will.
The next thing is I went with is some floss picks. They are those
prestrung things that you use and throw away. I like the silk ones.
I also started using them every day. You don't want to skip a day
and give this bacteria any chance to recover.
You will have some blood because of the soft tissue and some
soreness for awhile. You will have to put up with it to recover.
I did this for about three weeks and slowly there was less blood.
And my breath began to improve. But it was not fixed.
The three weeks was important because it allowed my gums to heal
enough to begin the final treatment.
Now I began to use hydrogen peroxide as an oral rinse. I used it
in the morning and evening after brushing for about two minuets
each time. After two weeks of this my gums were in better shape
yet again. The peroxide kills the bacteria. Also I rinse my toothbrush
in the peroxide to kill germs.
After two weeks of this I began to increase the rinse time to
twenty minuets once each day and five minuets once each day. This
cured my breath problem, my gums don't bleed at all, I don't have that
sticky taste in my mouth any more. My wife will kiss me know.
And guess what, there is one more benefit that I really love
my teeth are white again.
And yes my dentist is happy, there is much less tarter to remove
and the cleaning is much less stressful than it was before.
It took some time but it was well worth it.
has just told you that you have gingivitis. you are told that
there is way too much blood during cleaning. Good oral hygiene
is discussed with you. And you have the beginnings of a cavity
forming. You are informed that if you don't get this under
control the infection may go into the bone. If that happens
you may loose your teeth.
They give you a new toothbrush and a tooth paste sample
and some dental floss, then they send you home.
All the time you are thinking, I do brush twice each day. I
floss each day or almost each day. So why do I have this problem?
Why is my breath bad all the time? How do I fix it?
Folks I just described myself and what happened to me many
times at the dentist. I just didn't understand why I kept having
these problems. Especially when I did what the doctor said.
I brushed for two minuets twice each day. I flossed at least
four or five times each week. I also used an oral rinse. After
all this each time I went to the dentist I was told the same
thing. Poor oral hygiene!
I also noticed that as you get older these problems seem to
worsen. so I began studying oral health and oral bacteria. I
learned what it does in your mouth. Then I researched the best
remedy for treatment. I will share all of this with you today.
First a brief lesson on oral bacteria and what it does. There
are around 650 different types of bacteria in your mouth at all
times. They thrive on sugars and starches. So after you eat they
grow like wild fire. As they consume the sugars they produce
acid as a waste product. This acid is what erodes the enamel in
your teeth. These bacteria form a sticky film on your teeth and
your entire oral surface. This is important, they are everywhere
in your mouth. OK they form a film that turns into a plaque. This
is also important. You don't get it all with a tooth brush. The
plaque you don't get is turned into a scale that only your dentist
or hygienist can get to. Also this tends to grow under the gum line.
This is where most of the problems come from.
The first thing I did was to throw away my tooth brush and purchase
an electric tooth brush that rotates and has a back section that
moves back and forth. This will help remove more of the plaque
than a regular tooth brush will.
The next thing is I went with is some floss picks. They are those
prestrung things that you use and throw away. I like the silk ones.
I also started using them every day. You don't want to skip a day
and give this bacteria any chance to recover.
You will have some blood because of the soft tissue and some
soreness for awhile. You will have to put up with it to recover.
I did this for about three weeks and slowly there was less blood.
And my breath began to improve. But it was not fixed.
The three weeks was important because it allowed my gums to heal
enough to begin the final treatment.
Now I began to use hydrogen peroxide as an oral rinse. I used it
in the morning and evening after brushing for about two minuets
each time. After two weeks of this my gums were in better shape
yet again. The peroxide kills the bacteria. Also I rinse my toothbrush
in the peroxide to kill germs.
After two weeks of this I began to increase the rinse time to
twenty minuets once each day and five minuets once each day. This
cured my breath problem, my gums don't bleed at all, I don't have that
sticky taste in my mouth any more. My wife will kiss me know.
And guess what, there is one more benefit that I really love
my teeth are white again.
And yes my dentist is happy, there is much less tarter to remove
and the cleaning is much less stressful than it was before.
It took some time but it was well worth it.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Nasty Truth About Oral Bacteria
In my last article we discussed the benefits of a good oral
regiment for staying healthy and keeping your teeth for life.
Did you ever wonder about oral bacteria and what it
does in your mouth? I will discuss it today.
Oral bacteria exists in the billions in your mouth. After
you brush all you do is take them down to about 20 million
bacteria in your mouth.
Here is what they do. They consume sugars and starches
to form an acid. This acid causes cavities and bad breath.
These bacteria form into a sticky film that covers everything
in your mouth. Have you ever had that nasty sticky feeling
in your mouth?
If not controlled by a good oral routine these bacteria will
form a plaque or scaling around your gum-line. This is why
you need to see your dentist every six months to scrape this
plaque away. Again if left unchecked your gums will become
irritated. They will bleed and become soft. This is gingivitis
a gum disease that is treatable if not left unchecked.
Your gums may even peel away from your teeth. In this case
the bone is threatened. When you get to this stage surgery will be
needed to save your teeth and general health.
Some recent studies have concluded the dangers of oral bacteria
concerning your heart, liver and other vital parts of your body.
Oral bacteria has been linked to heart attack and stroke.
These bacteria seem to thrive in the placenta of pregnant women putting
their unborn children at risk.
So you can see it is a good idea to keep a good oral regiment
for your teeth and gums.
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