What Can I Do to Make My Breath Smell Better?

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Bad breath can be embarrassing and frustrating – for you and the people you talk to! Practicing good oral hygiene can help. Yourdentist in St. Paul, MN, can help you maintain fresh and pleasant breath through regular oral exams and dental cleanings. It’s also important to maintain good oral hygiene at home. Here’s what you can do to get rid of bad breath.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Bacteria and food particles in the mouth can cause bad breath. Poor oral hygiene, cavities, and infection can also cause bad breath. For some people, bad breath is even caused by the food they eat.

How Can I Improve My Bad Breath?

Poor oral hygiene habits are at the root of bad breath for most people. If this is the cause of your bad breath, you may be able to fix your problem by using best practices when brushing your teeth and by seeing the dentist regularly. Some tips:

  • Brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes each time
  • Replace your toothbrush every three months
  • Use a soft bristle toothbrush
  • See your dentist for an oral exam and check-up twice annually

What If Brushing My Teeth Doesn’t Help?

If brushing your teeth properly doesn’t help your bad breath, this could be a sign of a dental infection or cavity in your mouth. If this is the case, your dentist can help. Your dentist must examine your teeth to identify any problems like this.

Bad breath can also be caused by certain foods in the diet, like garlic or onion. These foods enter the bloodstream and can be smelled on the breath for a while after consumption. Pay attention to your dietary habits and notice when your bad breath is happening.

Think you may have acavity or dental infection in St. Paul, MN? Call St. Anthony Park Dental Care today to make an appointment.

4 Reasons to Get Clear Aligners

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If you have teeth that are crooked or if your jaw is misaligned, your dentist may recommend braces or clear aligners. Clear aligners aren’t an option for everyone, but if you have the choice between aligners and braces, it’s important to understand the difference and what the advantages are of clear aligners. As your dentist in St. Paul, MN, we can answer your questions about clear aligners. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Clear Aligners Make Cleaning Your Teeth Easy

Braces stay on for tooth brushing and flossing, so cleaning your teeth with braces can be challenging. Clear aligners can be removed for teeth cleaning, so the tooth brushing process remains the same.

You can clean your aligners while you clean your teeth: just take them out and brush them lightly with a toothbrush or soak them in antibacterial soap.

2. Clear Aligners Are Removed At Meals

Braces stay in for meals, limiting the number of foods you can consume with braces on. Clear aligners are removed for meals, so you can eat whatever foods you want.

3. Clear Aligners Are Subtle 

Braces are very visible. They’re easy to see in your mouth and when you smile. Clear aligners are the opposite. Up close, aligners are so subtle they’re almost unnoticeable. From far away, clear aligners are invisible. This means you can smile without anyone noticing your aligners.

4. Clear Aligners Involve No Wires or Brackets

While braces have wires and brackets that can be pokey if broken, clear aligners do not. This makes clear aligners in St. Paul, MN, a clear choice for some patients. At St. Anthony Park Dental Care, we can help you decide whether clear aligners are right for you. Call today.

5 Risk Factors of Cavities

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Cavities are something most of us experience at some point. However, as some of us get cavities more than others, it could be due to certain risk factors.

Keep reading to learn about five common risk factors of cavities.

Certain foods and beverages

Sugar is a popular culprit of tooth decay. However, sticky, sugary foods are even worse. These can cling to your teeth for long periods and are sometimes difficult to remove, increasing the chances of tooth decay. Some of the worst offenders are ice cream, soda, cake, hard candy, dry cereal, and chips.

Think these foods and drinks are damaging your teeth? If so, contact St. Anthony Park Dental Care today for reliable dental exams in St Paul, MN!

Location of tooth

While a cavity can happen anywhere, they’re most common in your back teeth. That’s because these areas feature several nooks and crannies that can easily trap food particles. This, combined with the location, makes these teeth harder to clean and keep healthy.

Inadequate brushing or flossing

Properly brushing and flossing are essential to preventing cavities. As bacteria starts to build up after eating, it’s important to clean your teeth and gums.

Dry mouth

Saliva production helps to keep our mouths healthy. That said, if you suffer from dry mouth, you may experience a number of dental concerns. Certain medications and medical conditions often cause dry mouth.

Young or old age

Your age may also play a role in getting cavities. Young children, teenagers, and older adults are most at risk. This is because young teeth haven’t yet fully developed, and it’s more common for older adults to have worn-down teeth and receding gums.

If you’re ready to do what’s right for your dental health, make an appointment at St. Anthony Park Dental Care today! We have the best dentist in St Paul, MN!

Sources

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cavities/symptoms-causes/syc-20352892