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We’ve all experienced it. Speaking with someone and their bad breath could destroy all flora and fauna in a 10 foot radius.

Halitosis, or bad breath as it’s commonly called, may be due to poor dental hygiene or can actually be symptomatic of something more serious.

If you are past the point of mouth washes and Zombie mints for bad breath, here are some tips for you.

Are You Drinking Enough Water?

If your morning breath lasts well into the night, it could be you are not drinking enough water. Keeping your mouth moist helps wash away food particles and bacteria which can be a primary cause of bad breath. If you have chronic dry mouth, you dentist can recommend an artificial saliva preparation or an oral medication that stimulates the flow of saliva.

Try Brushing Your Tongue:

The back of your tongue is where bacteria thrive. If you tongue is coated, try gently brushing it to dislodge bacteria. People who have a coated tongue from a significant growth of bacteria may also benefit from tongue scraping.

Adjust Your Diet:

Avoid eating a lot of Garlic or Onion as they cause bad breath. Sugary foods are also linked to bad breath. Try swithing up what you eat or when you eat, and see if you see improvement.

Regularly Get a New Toothbrush:

Seriously, bacteria thrive in toothbrushes, and you should replace yours often. This is especially true after you have been sick (flu, cold, etc.) – avoid a relapse and change your toothbrush. Every 3 or 4 months, replace your toothbrush and be sure to use soft bristles.

Be Sure and Brush Twice Daily:

Everyone brushes in the morning it seems .. but how about before you go to bed? Getting rid of the day’s food particles and bacteria is crucial to dental health (and sweet breath). If you aren’t brushing at night, this will go far in reducing any bad breath.

See Your Dentist Every 6 Months:

Get your regular dental exams. Bad breath can also be symptomatic of something more serious. Tooth Decay, Gingivitis, or Periodontal Disease. All of these can cause dragon breath. Keep your teeth and gums healthy with regular dental visits.

Bad breath can also be a symptom for more serious illnesses, such as stomach disorders, lung disorders, heart problems and even diabetes.

If you and your dentist can’t cure your bad breath “problem”, your dentist will in all likelihood refer you to a medical doctor in order to rule the serous things out.

How about you? Lookiing for a great family dentist in Sedalia or Cole Camp? Give us a call. We are experts on bad breath, and the causes.

In Sedalia: (660) 851-2128
In Cole Camp: (660) 668-3322

Did you awaken today with a toothache? Do you have severe and persistent throbbing pain radiating through your jaw and neck area? Are you running a low grade fever? If so, you may well have developed a tooth abscess.

A tooth abscess is caused by bacterial infection, and causes pockets of pus to build up underneath or in the soft pulp of your teeth. The pulp is the innermost part of the tooth that contains the blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue.

Bacteria will enter through either an untreated dental cavity or a chip or crack in your tooth and spread all the way down to the root.

Other Symptoms of Tooth Abscess:

In addition to those mentioned above, here are some other symptoms you should be aware of.

• Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
• Swelling in your face or cheek.
• Tender, swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck.

How Are Tooth Abscesses Treated?

Depending on the severity of the infection and how far it has advanced, these are the options of dealing with an abscessed tooth.

Open up and Drain the Abscess: The dentist will make a small cut in the abscess, allowing it to drain out, then rinsing with saline and prescribing an antibiotic.

Perform a Root Canal: In order to save your tooth, it may be necessary to perform a root canal. The dentist will drill down into the pulp of your tooth, and using special tools remove all the pulp and soft tissue. Then they will medicate your tooth, and seal it to prevent further infection. Once it is healed, typically a crown is applied to give you back a fully functional tooth.

Extract the Tooth: In severe cases where the tooth can not be saved, your only option is to have it extracted. To replace the tooth, you can choose a dental implant, or depending on location, even a bridge.

Possible Complications:

Tooth abscesses are a very severe infection, and will not go away without treatment. Left untreated, you pain will become more severe, and the infection can spread to your head and neck area. Eventionally, it can turn into sepsis – a life threatening infection that spreads through your entire body. We don’t want that happening, and neither do you!

Have Pain in Your Tooth, Neck Area or Jaw?

If so, give us a call before it becomes something more severe. The earlier you have an abscess treated, the better off you are and I can assure you the better you will feel.

Give Westwood Family Dental a call, we’ll take care of it for you. Two locations to serve you. Call today.

In Sedalia: (660) 851-2128
In Cole Camp: (660) 668-3322

Westwood Family Dental, a dentist in Sedalia, MO, announces the launch of “Comfort Dentistry” for all dental services. This program is designed to relieve fears, anxieties, and stresses related to going to the dentist.

According to WebMD, between “9% and 20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear.” The team at Westwood Family Dental is seeking to change this perception of dentistry by offering effective comfort solutions that allow all patients to receive modern, relaxing dental treatment.

The Comfort Dentistry difference begins when the patient walks in the door. The staff greets patients with a warm, welcoming presence that sets the tone for the entire dental experience. While they wait for their appointment, patients can enjoy a complimentary beverage, such as coffee, tea, or water.

Patients are then shown into the exam room or the “Comfort Zone.” Soft Pandora music creates a peaceful environment. Westwood Family Dental provides warm blankets, warm neck rolls, or a warm facial towel to help the patient relax and be at ease even before treatment begins.

Staff and providers always use a gentle touch and refined dentistry techniques; however, a number of sedation options are available to calm the patient before and during each appointment. This technique is known as Conscious Sedation Dentistry. The patient remains awake, but the stress is gone. Sedation alleviates anxiety and makes the dental experience comfortable and memorable.

Westwood Family Dental also uses a NOMAD Portable X-Ray System that revolutionizes the oral x-ray process. Gone are the days of biting down on an uncomfortable contraption. The NOMAD speeds up the x-ray taking process, and the operator can remain in the room to keep the patient at ease. As well as being conveniently portable, the NOMAD system features shielding that reduces x-ray exposure. The device is even safe to use during pregnancy.

Even if a patient is not usually nervous about going to the dentist, he or she may have some apprehension about a procedure that requires an injection. Westwood Family Dental utilizes prescription-strength topical numbing gel to numb the gums before an injection, eliminating that initial uncomfortable pinch from the needle. A powerful local anesthetic is also used that, when combined with the numbing gel, makes dental procedures painless.

Westwood Family Dental is proud to offer dental patients a warm, welcoming environment in which to receive their routine, preventive, family, and cosmetic dental care. Led by Dr. Eric Wilson, the team promises to create a caring, compassionate patient experience that exceeds expectations. Westwood Family Dental provides the best dental care available and treats every patient with respect, helping them understand their dental diagnosis, possible solutions to their issue, and the cost of treatment.

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For more information about comfort dentistry in Sedalia, MO, visit the Westwood Family Dental website at https://westwoodfamilydds.com. Staff can be reached by email at westwoodfamilydds@gmail.com or by phone at 1 (660) 851-2128.