Why Does My Breath Smell Bad?

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Bad breath can be embarrassing and also troubling. If bad breath is persistent, it can also be a sign of a dental problem, like gingivitis or a cavity. If you have bad breath, it’s important to find out why. Your dentist in St. Cloud, MN, may be able to help, depending on the cause. It is important to know the reason for your bad breath and what you can do about it.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Many things can cause bad breath, and for many people, the cause of bad breath isn’t just one thing. Some of the causes of bad breath include:

  • Poor oral hygiene habits. Cleaning your teeth regularly helps eliminate food and bacteria that cause bad breath. If you’re not cleaning your teeth frequently enough or well enough, you may experience bad breath.
  • Dry mouth. Saliva helps clean the teeth and wash away food and bacteria. If you have a dry mouth, whether because of the medication you’re taking or a medical condition that you have, you may experience dry mouth that causes bad breath.
  • Smoking. Smoking impacts the way your breath smells. It can also cause dry mouth and put you at risk for periodontal disease, which also causes bad breath.
  • The food you eat. Some foods get into the bloodstream and then cause bad breath. Onions and garlic are good examples of this.
  • Gum disease. Gum disease is a condition caused by inflammation and infection of the gums. Gum disease can lead to bad breath that doesn’t go away, even after brushing.
  • Cavities and tooth infection. Cavities and tooth infections can lead to the regular presence of bacteria in your mouth that cause bad breath odors.

What Can I Do About Bad Breath?

If you have bad breath that won’t go away when you brush your teeth, try noticing what you’re eating and when that corresponds to the food you’re ingesting.

If there seems to be no relationship between the food you eat and when the bad breath happens, and if brushing your teeth can’t resolve the problem, it’s time to see a dentist for a dental cleaning in St. Cloud, MN. The professionals at Friesz Family and Cosmetic Dentistry are here to help. Call today.

teeth-whitening

Can My Yellow Teeth be Improved?

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White teeth are an outward sign of inward health. As people age, though, teeth can turn to a yellowish hue that can detract from a healthy appearance. This yellowing comes about for a variety of reasons, including poor oral hygiene, smoking, or even as a side effect of certain prescription medications. Thankfully, professional teeth whitening in St. Cloud, MN, is available. Here is information about how to improve the color of yellowed teeth.

Step Up Your At-home Hygiene

Plaque build-up is a main contributor to yellow teeth. Plaque develops as a natural part of your mouth’s biome. It’s made up partly of bacteria, fed by sugars and other food and beverage debris throughout the day. You can significantly reduce teeth yellowing simply by stepping up your oral hygiene:

  • Brush, floss, and rinse after every meal, not just in the morning and at bedtime. This includes eating snacks and drinking sugary drinks.
  • Use whitening products. Over-the-counter whitening toothpaste and mouthwashes won’t substantially whiten stained teeth, but they can help prevent further yellowing.
  • Avoid sugary snacks. Minimize how much sugar you ingest. Sugar is a favorite food source for bacteria, which can multiply quickly in the right environment.

Get More Frequent Teeth Cleanings

The ADA recommends professional teeth cleanings at least once every six months. But for people who are more prone to plaque build-up, once every three months might work better to keep plaque at bay. Talk to your dentist for your personal recommendation.

Have Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment

In any drugstore, there are lots of at-home whitening kits that claim to work. Unfortunately, these at-home treatments won’t do much to whiten yellow teeth. The stains that cause yellow teeth simply don’t respond well to over-the-counter products. You may waste your money or end up with unpredictable results that make your teeth look unevenly colored.

The best thing you can do for yellow teeth is to visit your dentist in St. Cloud, MN, for professional teeth whitening. In about an hour, you can get beautiful, white teeth that you’ll be proud to show off. The results are reliable, predictable, and safe.

At Friesz Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer a range of solutions for yellow teeth. Contact us today to book your appointment and get back your confident smile!

3 Ways to Improve Your Dental Hygiene At Home

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Do you want cleaner teeth? Do you want to improve your oral hygiene routine to ensure that your teeth stay whiter and healthier for longer? Improving your oral hygiene at home starts by working with your dentist in St. Cloud, MN, and by making changes to your usual routines. In this article, we’ll teach you more about how you can improve the health and wellness of your teeth.

1. Take the Time to Brush

Brush your teeth for two minutes each time – no more, and no less. Brushing your teeth for longer than is necessary can do damage to your gums and may even wear away your tooth enamel over time. Brushing your teeth for less than two minutes at a time can leave plaque and buildup on your teeth. Not sure if you brush your teeth for long enough? Set a timer on your phone every time you brush.

2. Buy an Electric Toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes do a better job of cleaning teeth. They also give users the best chance of keeping their teeth for long into old age. There are many different types of electric toothbrushes on the market, so if you’re having a hard time picking one, talk to your dentist. Your dentist can give you recommendations for the best electric tooth brush that fits in your budget.

3. Floss with Traditional Floss

Traditional floss is better than flossing picks for a variety of reasons. One reason: using traditional floss on your teeth allows you to use a different section of floss for every tooth. When you’re using a flossing pick, the floss gets dirty between teeth and could potentially push food bacteria down into your gums.

Do you have a hard time flossing, or feel a lack of confidence in your ability to floss with normal flossing string properly? Have your dentist show you how.

If you’re serious about wanting to do more to maintain your dental health and wellness at home, start by getting a dental examination in St. Cloud, MN. Call Friesz Family and Cosmetic Dentistry today to make an appointment. During your appointment, we’ll discuss what you can do to improve your oral hygiene routine.

4 Dental Hygiene Tips To Protect Your Teeth and Gums

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Maintaining healthy teeth and gums takes effort, but it’s worth it! As you age, if you take good care of your teeth, you can avoid painful problems like dental infections and cavities. In this article, we’ll talk about five helpful things you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

1. Maintain a Consistent Tooth Brushing Routine

Brush your teeth twice each day, for two minutes each time. You can time yourself while you brush, or you can play a song that’s two minutes long. You can also brush your teeth once during the day, if you feel like you need it. Floss once daily, at the end of the day.

2. Get a Brushing Tutorial From Your Dentist

You may have been shown the proper way to brush your teeth years ago, but it’s easy to develop bad habits. If you’re missing certain parts of your mouth, or brushing too hard, you could be doing damage to your teeth. Ask your dentist to show you the best way to brush your teeth when you go in for your next dental exam in St. Cloud MN. If there’s time, have your dentist show you the best method for flossing too.

3. Know the Signs of a Problem

Learn to recognize the signs of a dental problem. Below are some symptoms to watch for:

  • Pain in the tooth
  • Swelling around the tooth
  • Bad breath that doesn’t go away when you brush your teeth
  • Sudden temperature sensitivity in a tooth
  • Stains or dark marks on your teeth
  • Loose teeth
  • A change in the way your teeth align when your mouth is closed

4. Use an Electric Toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes have many features that can help make your tooth brushing experience more productive and effective. For example, many electric toothbrushes have a timer built in that will tell you when you’ve been brushing your teeth for long enough. Some can sense how much pressure you’re putting on the brush, and can tell you if you’re pushing too hard. Ask your dentist about the best electric toothbrush for you.

Do you have more questions about how to keep your teeth healthy? See your dentist in St. Cloud MN. Call Friesz Family and Cosmetic Dentistry to make an appointment and see the dentist today.