Bad Breath
Bad breath (halitosis) can be caused by many things. It may be the result of odor-causing foods, tooth decay, periodontal (gum) disease, continued mouth dryness, use of tobacco products, sinus or respiratory infections, some medical disorders, inadequate oral hygiene or some medications. Your dentist can help identify the cause and, if it`s due to an oral condition, can develop a treatment plan to eliminate this common source of embarrassment.

What causes Bad Breath?
What you eat affects the air you exhale. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, contribute to objectionable breath odor. Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs, where it is expelled. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will only mask the odor temporarily. Odors continue until the body eliminates the food. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating.

If you don`t brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Food that collects between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums can rot, leaving an unpleasant odor. Dentures that are not cleaned properly can also harbor odor-causing bacteria and food particles.

One of the warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease is persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth. Periodontal disease is caused by plaque, the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. The bacteria create toxins that irritate the gums. In the advanced stage of the disease, gums, bone and other structures that support the teeth become damaged. With regular dental checkups, your dentist can detect and treat periodontal disease early.

Bad breath is also caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor. Dry mouth may be caused by various medications, salivary gland problems or continuously breathing through the mouth. If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may prescribe an artificial saliva, or suggest using sugarless candy and increasing your fluid intake.

Tobacco products cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce one`s ability to taste foods and irritate gum tissues. Tobacco users are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease and are at greater risk for developing oral cancer. If you use tobacco, ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.

Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract (nose throat, windpipe, lungs), chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. If your dentist determines that your mouth is health, you may be referred to your family doctor or a specialist to determine the cause of bad breath.

Caring for your smile
Eliminating periodontal disease and maintaining good oral health is essential to reducing bad breath. Schedule regular dental visits for a professional cleaning and checkup. If you think you have constant bad breath, keep a log of the foods you eat and make a list of medications you take. Some medications may play a role in creating mouth odors. Let your dentist know if you`ve had any surgery or illness since your last appointment. Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush your tongue too. Once a day, use floss or an interdental cleaner to clean between teeth. If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night. Clean them thoroughly before replacing them the next morning.

Mouthwashes are generally cosmetic and do not have a long-lasting effect on bad breath. If you must constantly use a breath freshener to hide unpleasant mouth odor, see your dentist. If you need extra help in controlling plaque, your dentist may recommend using a special antimicrobial mouthrinse. A fluoride mouthrinse, used along with brushing and flossing, can help prevent tooth decay.

Bleaching
The range of esthetic dentistry also includes tooth whitening, or bleaching. Some patients are dissatisfied with the color of their teeth, perhaps from staining caused by the use of tobacco, coffee and other beverages and foods. Discoloration also can be the result of aging, injury, excessive fluoride, certain illnesses and use of tetracycline, an antibiotic, in early childhood. Bleaching can remove discolorations and stains, but some are harder to remove than others.

The procedure takes from 30 minutes to one hour in the dental office, and teeth can become slightly sensitive just after the treatment. Bleaching features a chemical solution that is painted on the teeth, and a special light often is used at five-minute intervals to help activate the solution, which is an oxidizing agent. Patients also can have their teeth whitened at home in a procedure called nightguard bleaching. This approach involves a custom-fitted mouthguard that holds a bleaching gel in close contact with the teeth and is worn about two hours daily, day or night, for about two weeks, although the amount of time and the duration of the treatment can vary depending on individual needs.

The ADA does not recommend over-the-counter tooth bleaching products that are self-administered. Although such products may cost less, bleaching should be done only under the supervision of a dentist after an oral examination and diagnosis of the discolored teeth. Some people with certain dental conditions may not be good candidates for bleaching , such as patients with gum recession that has left sensitive tooth roots exposed.

Bonding/veneers
If your teeth are permanently stained or discolored, have gaps or are misshapen or slightly out of alignment, esthetic dentistry could be for you.

One possibility to make your smiledazzling is veneering, a popular procedure among both dentists and patients. Veneers are custom-made shells specially prepared to make teeth look completely natural. Affixed directly to the tooth with composite resins used in bonding, veneers can sometimes be applied without the need for an anesthetic. Materials used to make veneers include acrylic, composite resins and porcelain, the latter growing in use by leaps and bounds. No matter the material, the ultimate goal in selecting materials is durability, stain resistance and a natural look. New materials are being developed continuously, so let your dentist help you choose the material that`s best for you.

Having a tooth veneered is a simple process that generally requires a few appointments. To provide room and help strengthen the veneer, a small layer of enamel usually is removed from the front of a tooth. Based on an impression taken by your dentist of the tooth to be treated, the veneer is fabricated to meet the color and shape expectations of your teeth. When the veneer is ready to be placed, the tooth is prepared with a mild etching solution that roughens the surface and aids adhesion. Then, with composite resin cements, the veneer is set in place.

Crowns/Inlays/Onlays
If you need more involved treatment that still looks natural, your dentist may recommend a crown, inlay or onlay. A crown covers the entire tooth to strengthen and improve its appearance and is typically used when a tooth`s damage is beyond the scope of more conservative esthetic procedures mentioned earlier. However, if enough healthy tooth structure remains, your dentist may conserve what`s left and restore the tooth to a natural appearance with an inlay, which fits within the contours of a tooth, or an onlay, which is similar but also covers some of the chewing surface of a tooth.

Crowns, inlays and onlays are typically fabricated from an alloy, a combination of metals. Alloys may contain precious metals such as gold and palladium, or non-precious metals such as nickel or chromium. In either case, they are extremely durable, with many crowns lasting 20 years or more.

Crowns also can be made entirely of porcelain, or made with metal lining to which an outer layer of porcelain is fused. Crowns made entirely of ceramic also are available today, but questions remain about their durability and strength when subjected to the intense chewing pressures generated when we eat. The best advice is to consult your dentist if you are interested in ceramic restoration, particularly for back teeth.

Invisible Fillings
If you want even your fillings to be invisible, composite resins can restore a decayed tooth or repair a defect. Mostly, composite resins are used on front teeth that bear less chewing pressure, although composites have been developed that can be used for selected fillings in back teeth such as molars. Composites are composed mainly of two primary ingredients: a binder of plastic resin and a filler of finely ground, glass-like particles that give them a lifelike appearance and durability. Composite fillings can be placed in one visit, just like a traditional amalgam filling.