Dr. Precious Ofili, Author at The Smile HQ

Dental

Breaking Down Dental X-Rays (Part 1)

July 1, 2023 Dr. Precious Ofili No Comments

Dental X-rays are an important diagnostic tool that can help detect oral health problems that might not be visible to the naked eyes.

What are the benefits?

The benefits of dental X-rays include the ability to detect dental problems that are not visible to the naked eye, such as cavities, gum disease, and impacted teeth. This allows your dentist to diagnose and treat these problems before they become more serious.

So… you might be wondering are they safe?

Well, dental X-rays are generally considered safe, however, they do expose you to a small amount of radiation. To minimize your radiation exposure, your dentist will take precautions such as using a lead apron to cover your body and thyroid gland. They will also use the lowest possible radiation dose to obtain the necessary diagnostic information.

There are four main types: bitewing X-rays, periapical X-rays, panoramic X-rays, and cone beam CT scans however, each is them have their unique purposes.

To be continued…

Dental

Understanding Halitosis (Bad Breath) Part 2

June 7, 2023 Dr. Precious Ofili No Comments

What are the symptoms of halitosis?

The main symptom of halitosis is a bad odor from the mouth that is considered beyond a socially acceptable level. The odor can be worse in the morning or after smoking, drinking coffee, or eating certain foods such as garlic.

How is halitosis diagnosed?

Dentists often diagnose halitosis. The diagnosis is based on the person’s history and mouth odor during the dental exam. The entire mouth is checked to see if a cause can be found, such as an infection If the dentist can’t find the cause, he or she will refer you to an appropriate specialist, such as a doctor.

What is the treatment for halitosis?

Treatment depends mainly on the cause of the condition. Causes and possible treatments include:

1. Poor oral health care

Possible treatment

If the bad breath is due to improper oral healthcare, in most cases your dentist will treat the cause of the problem by carrying out necessary oral prophylactic treatments and educating you on proper oral hygeine. The patient will be closely monitored till the problem resolves and will be routinely followed up.

2. Gum disease

Possible treatment

If the cause is an underlying gum disease, the condition may be treated by your dentist. Or you may be referred to an oral specialist–in most cases, a periodontist. A periodontal cleaning often helps to remove the bacteria and tartar or plaque that has built up and is causing inflammation at the gumline.

3. Extensive plaque buildup

Possible treatment

Your dentist or periodontist may recommend an antimicrobial mouth rinse. Also, you may be told to brush your tongue gently each time you brush your teeth to help remove odor-causing bacteria.

4. Health Condition

Possible treatment

Diagnosis and treatment of an existing health condition may get rid of the bad breath.

How can I prevent halitosis?

Halitosis can be prevented or decreased if you:

• Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day.

• Brush your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth. Most bad breath bacteria live on the tongue. , So brushing or scraping the tongue can make a big difference in your breath.

• If you have dentures, take them out at night and clean them completely before putting them back in your mouth. Talk with your dentist before using deodorizing sprays or tablets. Some only mask the odor for a short time.

• If you smoke, quit. You will have better-smelling breath, and a healthier body overall.

• Keep your saliva flowing by eating healthy foods that make you chew. Carrots and apples require a lot of saliva. You can also chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free candies. If you still don’t have enough saliva to keep your mouth moist, your dentist may suggest artificial saliva.

• Visit your dentist on a regular basis. Regular check-ups can find problems such as gum disease, infections, and dry mouth. If you have bad breath and the dentist can’t find a cause, you may be referred to your primary healthcare provider for more follow-up.

Oral

Understanding Halitosis (Bad Breath) Part 1

May 4, 2023 Dr. Precious Ofili One Comment

What is Halitosis?

Halitosis is an oral health problem where the main symptom is having an offensive mouth odour. In most cases, finding the cause of the bad breath is the first step toward treating this preventable condition.

Causes: Most times Halitosis / Bad breath starts in your mouth, and there are many possible causes. They include;

1. Food

The breakdown of food particles in and around your teeth can increase bacteria and cause a foul odor. Eating certain foods, such as onions, garlic, and spices, also can cause bad breath. After you digest these foods, they enter your bloodstream, are carried to your lungs, and affect your breath.

2. Tobacco products

Smoking causes its own unpleasant mouth odor. Smokers and oral tobacco users are also more likely to have gum disease, another source of bad breath.

3. Poor dental hygiene

If you don’t brush and floss daily, food particles remain in your mouth, causing bad breath. A colorless, sticky film of bacteria (plaque) forms on your teeth. If not brushed away, plaque can irritate your gums and eventually form plaque-filled pockets between your teeth and gums (periodontitis). Your tongue also can trap bacteria that produce odors. Dentures that aren’t cleaned regularly or don’t fit properly can harbor odor-causing bacteria and food particles.

4. Dry mouth

Saliva helps cleanse your mouth, removing particles that cause bad odors. A condition called dry mouth or xerostomia (zeer–o-STOE-me-uh) can contribute to bad breath because production of saliva is decreased. Dry mouth naturally occurs during sleep, leading to “morning breath,” and it worsens if you sleep with your mouth open. Chronic dry mouth can be caused by a problem with your salivary glands and some diseases.

5. Medications

Some medications can indirectly produce bad breath by contributing to dry mouth. Others can be broken down in the body to release chemicals that can be carried on your breath.

6. Infections in your mouth

Bad breath can be caused by surgical wounds after oral surgery, such as tooth removal, or as a result of tooth decay, gum disease or mouth sores.

7. Other mouth, nose, and throat conditions

Bad breath can occasionally stem from small stones that form in the tonsils and are covered with bacteria that produce odor. Infections or chronic inflammation in the nose, sinuses or throat, which can contribute to postnasal drip, also can cause bad breath.

8. Other causes

Diseases, such as some cancers, and conditions such as metabolic disorders, can cause a distinctive breath odor as a result of the chemicals they produce. Chronic reflux of stomach acids (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD) can be associated with bad breath. Bad breath in young children can be caused by a foreign body, such as a piece of food, lodged in a nostril.

To be continued in the next blog post.