Bad breath (also known as halitosis) is generally caused by the extended presence of certain bacteria in your mouth. The condition is not dangerous in itself, but the presence of the bacteria can be caused by (and they can also cause) a number of dangerous dental conditions. Certain medications and disorders can also contribute to bad breath – sinus infections, postnasal drips, and other respiratory tract infections. This is why it’s important to address bad breath as soon as possible, even when it’s just bad breath and nothing more. Keep your mouth clean and moist, and brush the bacteria off your tongue every day. In addition, maintain excellent brushing habits.

Gum recession happens when a portion of your gum tissue wears away, as a protective measure against exposure to harmful bacteria. This harmful bacteria normally builds up on or around your teeth, spreading to your gums in the form of plaque, as a result of poor brushing habits. It can also happen as a result of the aging process, but this is unlikely, because good brushing habits normally counteract that issue. The roots are now exposed to the possibility of abrasions (wear and tear), or even abfractions (a normally painless loss of tooth structure, that can still lead to loss of tooth function or even tooth loss).

Cold sores are small, fluid-filled blisters, usually seen around the lips and nose. Before they appear, you may notice an itching, burning, or tingling sensation in the spot where it eventually forms. When blisters break, crusts will form over the sores. Cold sores usually heal in 2-4 weeks without leaving scars, so these are generally not considered a serious condition. Once you have experienced this infection, the virus will lie dormant in the nerve cells of your skin, and may emerge some time later as another cold sore. This is unlikely to happen, and once you have had a cold sore that passes, the virus is unlikely to cause you anymore harm or aesthetic issue ever again. However, if symptoms of your cold sore(s) are severe, if they do not heal within 2-4 weeks, or if you possess a weakened immune system, you will want to visit us or your general doctor for an examination. While you still have a cold sore, avoid extended skin-to-skin contact with others, keep your hands clean, and avoid sharing items, this will prevent the virus from spreading to others.

Cavities occur when food remnants around your teeth are broken down by the naturally-occurring bacteria in your mouth. This decomposition process creates acid, which in turn creates holes in your teeth (cavities). Certain areas are more likely to have cavities, due to their shape and where food tends to get stuck – pits and fissures of teeth, soft root surfaces, in between the areas you floss, and around a large variety of dental appliances. Cavities are best prevented with good, ordinary oral hygiene practices. Brush two times a day with a fluoride toothpaste, floss once a day (as well as when food is stuck between your teeth), and maintain regular checkups and cleanings so you can avoid nasty surprises. High-quality toothbrushes can make an enormous difference as well. Toothrushes with soft, smooth, and rounded nylon bristles are the best option for adults. Because the shape is important for clearing away food remnants, your toothbrush should be replaced when the bristles start to lose their original shape – this is roughly every 3 months for adult toothbrushes, and 2 months for child toothbrushes.

Wisdom teeth do not serve a productive purpose. They can cause Cavities to form around impacted teeth, and the resulting decay will be very difficult to remove, which will cause further pain and infection. Cleaning around wisdom teeth is also very difficult, which causes inflammation of gums and, soon enough, Gum Recession. This is why an extraction is recommended for all wisdom teeth (usually around age 16). Wisdom teeth don’t always need to be removed though. We will examine your mouth first, determining how the wisdom teeth are coming in, and what space they will occupy in your mouth. If the situation looks harmful to your oral health, an extraction may be necessary. The first 6-8 hours post-op, are typically the worst. Swelling is easily managed with ice packs and non-prescription pain medication. Trauma at the site of the extraction should be avoided for several days following the procedure, which will require careful brushing and eating. Compression with gauze will reduce any sporadic bleeding, which can occur after the procedure. Any unusual bleeding, swelling, or pain should be reported to us, or your general doctor. Smoking should be avoided because this is the number one cause of problems during post-operative care of extractions.