Oral Archives - The Smile HQ

Shine Your Teeth and shine in life: Why you should make your dental health a priority.

August 2, 2024 The Smile HQ

Greetings everyone! Let’s talk dental health. Yes, I know, we all love our pounded yam, jollof rice, and suya, but how many of us think about what happens to our teeth after enjoying these delicacies? It’s time to pay attention. After all, a bright smile can open doors and create lasting impressions!

Why Do Dental Treatments Cost a Lot?
Some of us think, “Why should I spend so much money on my teeth?” Well, think of your teeth as an investment. Just like you invest in your children’s education or your business, investing in your dental health pays off in the long run. Good oral health prevents painful and costly problems in the future. When you maintain your teeth, you’re not just spending money; you’re ensuring that you can continue to enjoy your favorite foods without pain and smile confidently in every situation.

The Benefits of Good Dental Care

1. Healthy Teeth, Healthy Body: Poor oral health can lead to serious health problems like heart disease and diabetes. Keeping your teeth clean means keeping your whole body healthy.

2. Confidence Boost: Imagine walking into a meeting or a social gathering with a bright, confident smile. Your confidence levels will soar, and people will notice!

3. Save Money in the Long Run: Regular dental check-ups can catch problems early before they become serious and expensive. A little spending now can save a lot later.

Home Dental Care: Small Steps, Big Impact

Good dental care starts at home. Here are a few simple steps you can take:

Brush Twice a Day: Morning and night, for at least two minutes. Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Floss Daily: It might seem unnecessary, but flossing removes food particles and plaque that brushing misses.
Rinse with Mouthwash: This helps to kill bacteria and keep your breath fresh.
Eat Tooth-Friendly Foods: Crunchy fruits and vegetables, cheese, and nuts can help keep your teeth strong.
Visit Your Dentist: The Expert Touch

Just like your body needs a physician, your teeth need a dentist. Regular visits to the dentist can help catch problems early. Don’t wait until you have a toothache to see your dentist. Make it a habit to go for check-ups at least twice a year.

Involve Your Family and Friends

Oral health is a family affair. Teach your children the importance of brushing and flossing. Make it fun by brushing together. Share tips with your friends and encourage them to visit the dentist. You can even make it a group activity. When you involve your loved ones, everyone benefits from a healthier smile.

Let’s Change the Narrative

We need to change how we view dental care in Nigeria. It’s not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Investing in your teeth is investing in your overall health and well-being. Let’s start a movement of bright, healthy smiles across the country. Shine your teeth, and you’ll shine in life!

So, my people, let’s embrace good dental care habits and encourage our friends and family to do the same. Together, we can enjoy good oral health for life and keep flashing those dazzling Nigerian smiles everywhere we go.

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.