Bad Breath in Children

We hope that none of the children at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven are ever embarrassed by bad breath. Halitosis isn’t just bad for their social lives. It also indicates an oral health problem, which is why we’re here to help.

Bad breath is the result of bacterial build-up. There may be an underlying medical issue, but usually, the child needs help with their hygiene habits. Brushing the tongue is just as important as brushing the teeth. The back of the throat can be cleaned with non-alcoholic mouthwash. Sometimes, if the child suffers from nasal drip, the discharge may be caught in the back of the throat and feeding bacteria. Because children are prone to sinus infections, this happens to them frequently, but it may also be necessary to have them tested for allergies.

Some medical conditions which contribute to bad breath are dry mouth and diabetes. Dry mouth allows larger bacteria build-up because saliva is one of the body’s defense mechanisms, while diabetes makes it harder for the immune system to fight off infections in general. If medications are contributing to a child’s halitosis, it may be worth trying to find alternatives.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit New Haven Dental and fill out a contact form.

 

Periodontitis

When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to the next stage of periodontal disease and that is periodontitis. Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis is a little more challenging to treat, as it requires a deep cleaning of the gums. Periodontitis, like gingivitis, begins with plaque. If your oral care routine is inadequate, our doctors at Chapel Street Dental are here to help change that.

Periodontitis is preventable and treatable but the best way to avoid it is through prevention. As this stage of gum disease progresses, you may notice swollen and irritable gums, gums that feel tender when touched, persistent bad breath, and receding gums. When gums recede, the only way to restore the tissue is through a gum graft. We hope that your oral care habits never become this bad and encourage you to visit our office twice a year for routine dental exams.

If you have questions or concerns regarding periodontal disease, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Gingivitis

If you notice a bit of blood in the sink when you brush and floss, this is a common sign of gingivitis. You can prevent gingivitis by practicing proper oral care habits such as brushing teeth twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once a day. If you floss your teeth every day for one week, you’ll notice that the blood will disappear. Gingivitis is the only stage of periodontal disease that can be reversed but our doctors at Chapel Street Dental would rather you take preventive measures.

The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene habits. Perhaps you find any excuse you can to avoid brushing your teeth in the morning, afternoon, or before bed. Gingivitis can cause swollen and puffy gums, dark red gums, bad breath, and gums that bleed easily. The best thing you can do in addition to improving your oral care routine is to visit us twice a year for dental checkups.

If you have questions or concerns regarding periodontal disease, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Seniors and Tooth Decay

Chapel Street Dental in New Haven is here to provide for the oral health needs of people of all ages, including seniors. Many people know that children are the age group that is most at-risk for tooth decay; most dental hygiene educational materials are aimed at them and discuss how sugar can cause teeth to become abscessed and develop cavities. But lots of people don’t know how common untreated dental decay is in seniors. The Center for Disease Control estimates the frequency is one in five.

There could be many reasons for this. Some seniors become forgetful or have difficulty brushing and flossing because their hands are less dexterous. Some are suffering from dry mouth as a side effect of medication and don’t produce enough saliva to wash away food debris or maintain their teeth’s protective membranes. They may have also switched to softer foods which get trapped in their teeth more easily or stopped getting cleanings as regularly if their dental coverage was reduced.

What most seniors have in common is that their oral health was not always as bad as it is now, implying they know the importance of oral hygiene but are unable to maintain it. The good news is that we can help with all of these problems. Our services start at low prices and we can direct our patients to superior home dental products that will compensate for other problems they may be experiencing.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit NewHavenDental.care and fill out a contact form.

 

Diabetes and Gum Disease

We highly value preventive care at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven. Gum disease is a common ailment, particularly among people with diabetes, which is why we want them to be aware of the importance of oral hygiene.

Infections in the gum pockets cause gum disease. There are always some bacteria between the tooth root and the gum, and there is always a thin, sticky layer, called plaque, which sugar gets trapped in. Inflammation, or gingivitis, occurs when there is a large amount of sugar and a lot of bacteria feed on it and produce acid. The acid gets trapped in the plaque, irritating the gums.

People with diabetes have a harder time fighting off infections in general, and when their blood sugar level is uncontrolled, oral bacteria will multiply more rapidly and produce more acid. If gingivitis is not treated, it could progress to periodontal disease. At that point, the patient’s gum, tooth, and jaw bone structure would all be in peril. This is why diabetes patients should take special care to maintain regular appointments for deep cleanings and scaling and be especially vigilant about brushing and flossing when their blood sugar is high.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit NewHavenDental.care and fill out a contact form.