The teenage years are fraught with developmental milestones and a growing desire for independence. As a parent, you want them to grow up and make smart decisions about their health and body. When it comes to your teen’s mouth, there are still some things you should keep an eye on to make sure they have every advantage heading into adulthood.

Wisdom Teeth- Wisdom teeth develop under the gum by around age 13 and usually poke through between the ages of 17-21. Sometimes they need to be extracted because your teen’s mouth is too small, or they aren’t coming in upright. This can make them crooked or impacted. Or sometimes, because they are so hard to reach and keep clean, they develop a cavity as they are coming in. By making sure your teen makes and keeps regular visits, their hygienist and dentist can evaluate your teen’s development and decide if they should have them removed.

Orthodontics- If your teen is wearing braces or has clear aligners, it’s important for them to keep all check-up appointments to make sure treatment is progressing as it should. If your teen hasn’t had an orthodontic evaluation or complains of jaw pain, headaches, or trouble chewing, an ortho consult might be a good idea. Braces aren’t just to make a smile straight, but they also help correct bite problems that can cause pain and make chewing difficult too.

Eating Disorders- Bulimia and anorexia affect more than 10 million Americans. They are severe disorders, and in today’s celebrity-obsessed culture, any teen can feel like they aren’t thin enough or pretty enough. Acids in vomit can wear the enamel on your teeth causing tooth decay and vomiting after each meal prevents your body from absorbing necessary nutrients in your food. Without proper nutrition, your teen may develop bleeding gums, excessive weight loss, chronic dry mouth, and weakness. If you think your child or teen has an eating disorder, make an appointment with their doctor and seek counseling.

Tobacco Use- By now, everyone knows that smoking is bad for you. But all tobacco products carry risks, like oral cancer. It goes without saying, if you don't smoke or chew tobacco, don't start. But teens are more susceptible to peer pressure, and one cigarette can quickly turn into a life-long habit. Smoking cigarettes and cigars and using chewing tobacco not only stains your teeth but also causes tartar build-up and bad breath. It can lead to gum disease, tooth loss, and severe health issues. Smoking and tobacco use can stunt your healing ability and lessen your senses of smell and taste. If your teen smokes, ask their dentist to discuss techniques on quitting before their habit is too hard to kick.

Mouth Jewelry- Tongue rings and oral piercings might look cool to your teen, but they can have serious side effects. Infections, chipped or broken teeth, and choking are just a few reasons to tell your teen no to this trend. Oral piercings can also cause complications like uncontrollable bleeding and nerve damage.

Being a parent to a teen can be tough even without constantly worrying about their health and safety. With a careful eye and a little love, you can give your teen the advantages they need to step into adulthood confident and prepared for anything life can throw at them.

Pregnancy is an exciting time for any woman, but it is also full of a seemingly endless list of do’s and don’ts. Thankfully, there have been incredible advancements in the dental field that help make your dental experience while you’re expecting more pleasant.

Between morning sickness and the excitement of pregnancy, it can be challenging to focus on your homecare routine, but it is never more critical than when you’re pregnant. Your body is working for two, and the link between gingivitis and systemic illnesses suggest that untreated gum disease can affect the health of your unborn baby as well as lower your already compromised immune system. Slacking on brushing and flossing has even been linked to gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and premature delivery.

Gingivitis, Cavities and Pregnancy Tumors, Oh My!

When you’re expecting, your body and mind undergo many physical and emotional changes. The level of the hormone progesterone soars during pregnancy, and gum tissue may overreact to plaque, causing severe inflammation in the gums, resulting in a condition called pregnancy gingivitis. It’s estimated that as many as half of all pregnant women develop pregnancy gingivitis. Symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis include bad breath and swollen, red, sensitive gums that bleed easily.

Pregnant women also have an increased risk of tooth decay due to morning sickness. Up to 50% of women have some symptoms of morning sickness. Increased exposure to acids due to vomiting can wear away tooth enamel making it easier for bacteria to break through.

Another issue some women experience during pregnancy is pregnancy tumors. Don’t worry, they sound scary, but aren’t really cancerous. It’s a name for an overgrowth of gum tissue around or in between teeth that looks worse than it is. They can be difficult to brush and floss around, but they usually go away after childbirth.

Prevention

Due to the increased risks during pregnancy, your dentist may recommend an extra cleaning and exam to remove any excess plaque buildup and check for any cavities. They may also suggest some changes to your homecare routine. Be diligent about brushing and flossing at least twice a day and be sure to brush after bouts of morning sickness or gargle with warm salt water. A healthy, colorful diet that is low in excess sugar and carbohydrates can not only help prevent gestational diabetes but can also reduce plaque buildup.

Treatment and Safety

If you need dental treatment like a filling or a crown while you're pregnant, it’s never been a better time to have it done. Most dentists agree that it is riskier to put off necessary dental work than to have it done during pregnancy. Still, many women have concerns about dental treatment during pregnancy.

Technology has made great strides in the dental field and today’s procedures and medications are more gentle and safer than ever before. Many dentists recommend having any dental work done during the second trimester when most cases of morning sickness subside and before it becomes too uncomfortable to lay on your back for long periods of time during the third trimester.

Thanks to today's digital x-rays, the exposure to radiation is lower than ever, and the added reassurance of a lead apron that covers your abdomen and neck reduces your exposure even further.

Dental anesthetic is also safe for use during pregnancy, and there are several types available. A 2015 study published in The Journal of the American Dental Association showed that anesthetic, like the commonly used Lidocaine, caused no ill effects to the fetus.

If you need work done during your third trimester, your dentist may decide to wait until after your baby is born. Remember that you can always talk with your dental team and express any concerns and ask any questions. If you’re experiencing stress, chances are your baby can feel it, too. Pregnancy can be hard enough, but with a little help from your dentist and their team, maintaining your oral health can be one thing that’s easy to deliver.

In 1952, a university research project examined baseball cards of Major League players. The researchers found that a player’s smile suggested how long he’d live. Players who didn’t smile in their photos lived an average of nearly 73 years, while smiling players lived an average of almost 80 years!

A healthy mouth adds value to our years, enhances our relationships, and bolsters our confidence. Keep an eye out for anything that detracts from your smile and compromises optimal dental health. The following signs could suggest that something isn’t quite right: 

1. Short, thin front teeth. After age 30, teeth wear about 1 millimeter per decade. This change may progress at a slower rate and tends to go unnoticed. If your teeth seem thinner or shorter than they should be, it’s time to find out why. Night or day teeth-grinding abrades precious enamel, and some acidic foods and drinks can erode the mineralized surface. One thing’s certain: When enamel disappears, it doesn’t grow back. If the damage is already done, we can help you explore ways to restore your smile.

2. Dull, yellow teeth. Enamel soaks up dark pigments found in coffee, tea, wine, chocolate, and more. Professional whitening removes these embedded color compounds without damaging your teeth. Our quality gel lifts years from your smile’s appearance and provides a quick confidence boost. We only choose formulas designed for maximum effectiveness and safety.

3. Dark shadows between teeth. If you notice dark shadows between your front teeth, it’s time for a professional to take a look. Dark shadows often suggest a growing cavity, and they don’t usually hurt until they reach the deepest part of the tooth. Cavities develop as acid attacks enamel and break it down. Tooth-colored restorative products can repair your teeth, enhance their beauty, and preserve their function.

4. Red, swollen gums. Healthy gums look pink with a light orange-peel texture, and they don’t bleed. When harmful bacteria aren’t properly cleaned away, they provoke an inflammatory reaction from the immune system. The swelling and bleeding could indicate that you’re starting to lose the bone around your teeth. Our hygiene team has a personalized strategy to help you control gum disease.

5. Crooked or spaced teeth. Straight teeth look pleasant to the eye and help your bite function the way it’s supposed to. Even small gaps become food traps, and crowded teeth are difficult to keep clean. Fortunately, invisible or wireless straightening options make orthodontics easier than ever.

6. One gray tooth. If you look at your smile and see one dark tooth, it needs an exam. A tooth that experienced trauma years ago may feel fine. But if it’s darker than the surrounding neighbors, it usually means that the nerve is dead with a low-grade infection in your jaw. We can evaluate the tooth, eliminate the bacteria, and correct the color.

7. Bad breath. This problem isn’t a visual one, but it does reflect something about the health of your smile. Gases produced by oral bacteria are responsible for most cases of bad breath, although other possible causes should be explored with your dentist or physician. Sometimes the odor comes from a mouth infection, such as gum disease or an abscessed tooth. If everything checks out, our hygienist can help you eliminate the odor with a few simple modifications to your daily routine.

Dental health is all about feeling well and looking terrific. While most problems in our mouths develop slowly, they often reach a critical stage over time. If you see any of these clues or have other concerns, a visit with the team at Mission Dental Arts can help you protect your smile!

Some topics are a little hard to broach, especially if we feel ashamed or embarrassed. Bad breath can be that way. It leaves us ignoring a social issue that’s easily eliminated with the right approach.  Or we might try masking our breath with tricks that encourage more problems to develop.  Understanding the causes of mouth odors marks the first step to finding an effective solution.

What Makes That Smell?

In the world around us, wind moves across the landscape and picks up invisible odor molecules generated from the dynamic environment it passes through.  Whether it’s the sweetness of lavender or the stench of rotting vegetation, these microscopic particles reach our noses, bind to receptors, and send a message.  

As we breathe, the rush of air moves across the lining of our airway and mouth.  Just like a breeze outside, breath picks up odors and sends a message to those in its path. Your diet can contribute by adding odors from compounds absorbed into your bloodstream. Think garlic breath, a smell which often excretes through your pores, too!

In some cases, bad breath results from medical conditions like diabetes, chronic bronchitis, liver disease, or respiratory tract infections.  Certain medications may also contribute to the problem by altering saliva production and causing a dry mouth.  If you suspect any of these possibilities, be sure to talk to your medical doctor.

The Real Culprit

Studies show that about 80% of bad breath cases result directly from the mouth and the bacteria thriving there. Millions of oral bacteria produce sulfur gases and other compounds that smell unpleasant. Since it’s challenging to detect your own breath, try sniffing floss after you’ve used it to get an idea of lurking odors. 

Cavities, gum disease, unclean dentures, or tonsil problems may all contribute to this nagging relationship inhibitor. Stay on schedule with your preventive dental visits to be sure any disease activity is eliminated.  Untreated gum disease is also the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. Together we can stop bad breath and help you keep your smile healthy. 

Sometimes you’re practicing excellent oral hygiene but still feel frustrated by unpleasant mouth odors. If you’ve eliminated the other possibilities, it’s time to take a better look at your tongue.  The top of the tongue is covered in a forest of papillae, projections that support taste buds and provide a textured surface to aid tactile sensation. But the velvety surface traps dead cells, food debris, and bacteria.  Sulfur gases produced by bacteria contribute to the odiferous mix, and a coating forms across the tongue.  When this coating thickens, your taste may also be altered as the odor intensifies.

An Odor Killer

Even though you remember to brush and floss, don’t forget the benefits of cleaning your tongue at least once a day. Scrubbing with a brush helps a little, but a tongue cleaner is a unique device that you draw gently across the surface of the tongue.  Like a gentle rake, it removes the debris embedded in the papillae.  Finishing with an anti-bacterial mouthwash may help freshen your breath. Be aware that many rinses contain alcohol and could dry out your mouth and exacerbate the issue.  A fluoride rinse is often the best choice, while other patients benefit from mouthwashes formulated specifically for difficult bad breath cases.  Rather than briefly masking odors, these mild rinses neutralize sulfur gases. We can discuss the options and customize a choice for you.

Be careful with other masking techniques such as sugared mints or candies. Excess sugar exposure can quietly create an environment where cavities thrive and cause bigger problems. If you like using mints, look for those sweetened with xylitol.  Xylitol tastes great and works to destroy cavity-causing bacteria.

If you keep regular visits with your hygienist, you’ll always have a partner for excellent oral health.  Finding the right strategies and tools will keep your teeth and gums healthy....and your breath fresh as the summer breeze!