Future of Dentistry

In this blog post from Future of Dentistry, we have some answers to frequent questions about bad breath.

Q. My wife says my breath is repulsive, but I brush twice a day. Shouldn’t that be enough?

A. Bacteria can propagate and stink in hidden crevices that can only be reached with floss. Time to start flossing. If your breath hasn’t improved in a few months, make an appointment so we can explore other possible causes of your halitosis.

Also keep in mind that brushing just the teeth may not remove food particles between the teeth and up in the gums. Gently brushing the gums, sides of the mouth and the tongue in addition to the teeth may make the difference.

Q. My breath seems to get worse during hay fever season. What’s up with that?

A. Allergies can change mouth odor in a couple of ways. First, anything that stimulates post-nasal drip can be a trigger because bacteria at the back of the throat mixes with the mucous and gives off a smelly odor as it breaks down. Second, hay fever medications often cause dry mouth which can result in smelly breath. Antihistamines can diminish post-nasal drip so this is a catch-22. If you take antihistamines, drink water frequently throughout the day to keep your mouth moist, suck on sugar-free mints to stimulate saliva production and rinse with a non-alcohol mouth rinse.

Q. What health conditions can bring about bad breath?

A. As addressed before, any condition that decreases saliva production can cause halitosis. It is also a frequent side effect of diabetes, kidney failure, and liver failure. Of course, if your kidneys or liver is failing, you have bigger problems.

Q. Why did my breath become dreadful when I went on a strict low-carb diet?

A. Ketones were most likely the culprit. Ketones are created when the body digests fat—which is usually the goal of a low-carb plan. On the flip side, sounds like you weren’t cheating!

Bad breath is no fun, so if you’re coping with it, talk to us at Future of Dentistry. Our services include dental implants, complete general and family dentistry, and much more! Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley come to our practice. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact Future of Dentistry:

Locations (Tap Below To Open Your Office In Google Maps):

Future of Dentistry – Billerica
668 Boston Rd
Billerica, MA 01821
978-663-4303

Future of Dentistry – Dracut
149 Pleasant St
Dracut, MA 01826
978-957-1811

Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover/Willows Dental Group
795 Turnpike St
North Andover, MA 01845
978-685-8313

Future of Dentistry – Wakefield
968 Main St
Wakefield, MA 01880
781-245-2299

 

At Future of Dentistry we are a primary care dental provider, a role that we take very seriously. When you come in for your regular checkup we will give you a thorough examination and cleaning to ensure you have good dental health.

There are nearly 150,000 dentists practicing in North America (someone really does keep track), and most of them are general or family dentists. That means you can turn to us for a wide range of services, including matters related to overall health. The link between your dental health and general health is well-established.

Other available services include:

• Prevention. An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. With daily brushing and flossing at home and regular checkups with us, you can prevent tooth decay. Your teeth are meant to last a lifetime!
• Restoration. Even with good care, things can go wrong. If we find a problem we can treat it. The most common is filling a cavity, but we can repair a chipped tooth and treat gum disease, too. There are other advanced procedures available, like root canal therapy.
• Cosmetic dentistry. Has your smile lost its luster? We can transform your smile with a range of cosmetic procedures, from teeth whitening to porcelain veneers.

Just how important are regular checkups? If your eyes are windows to your soul, the mouth is a window into your overall health. We can detect health problems in other parts of the body.

At Future of Dentistry we provide comprehensive general and family dentistry. Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley also come to us for dental implants, and much more. Call to schedule an appointment today!

Contact Future of Dentistry:

Locations (Tap Below To Open Your Office In Google Maps):

Future of Dentistry – Billerica
668 Boston Rd
Billerica, MA 01821
978-663-4303

Future of Dentistry – Dracut
149 Pleasant St
Dracut, MA 01826
978-957-1811

Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover/Willows Dental Group
795 Turnpike St
North Andover, MA 01845
978-685-8313

Future of Dentistry – Wakefield
968 Main St
Wakefield, MA 01880
781-245-2299

 

When patients are fully informed about their dental health, they usually do more to maintain it. That’s been our experience at Future of Dentistry, so we make patient education a priority at every checkup.

Are regular checkups even necessary? That question comes up sometimes. We don’t mean to hedge with our answer, but it really depends on what is meant by regular. For some patients it’s enough to see us once a year. For others, every four months is better. For most, twice a year is ideal.

At every checkup, we examine you for any signs of gum disease. In its mildest form, gum disease is known as gingivitis and is easily treated. Stepping up your dental care routine at home is often enough to get it under control.

Indestructable?

Your teeth may seem like pieces of bone growing in your mouth, but they are actually living structures. That hard surface of enamel covers an interior filled with a rigid material called dentin, which is mineralized connective tissue. As hard as it is, it is not indestructable. When bacteria causes holes in it you have a cavity. We want to fill those as soon as possible.

Fillings, by the way, won’t last forever. They can break down or become loose over time. If that happens, decay can get into the area around it and cause problems. You can extend the life of a filling with daily brushing and flossing.

The more you know, the better off you are. If you have any questions about a recommended procedure at Future of Dentistry, don’t hesitate to ask. Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley come to us for general and family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and much more. And they ask a lot of questions, too! Schedule your next appointment with us today.

Contact Future of Dentistry:

781-245-2299

Locations (Tap Below To Open Your Office In Google Maps):

Future of Dentistry – Billerica
668 Boston Rd
Billerica, MA 01821
978-663-4303

Future of Dentistry – Dracut
149 Pleasant St
Dracut, MA 01826
978-957-1811

Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover/Willows Dental Group
795 Turnpike St
North Andover, MA 01845
978-685-8313

Future of Dentistry – Wakefield
968 Main St
Wakefield, MA 01880
781-245-2299

 

No one really enjoys going to the dentist, and at Future of Dentistry we understand that. We want all our patients to have a positive experience when they come in for an appointment, and we’re always willing to go the extra mile for their comfort.

We want to be transparent in all treatment. If you have any questions at all about what we’re doing, or the state of your dental health, do not hesitate to ask! Of course, it isn’t easy to ask a question if there’s a tool in your mouth. We can establish a simple signal, like raising your hand, as we begin. There’s no such thing as a bad question.

Above all, we want you to be comfortable. Our dental chairs tend to be relaxing, but if you want a pillow or blanket, just ask. We need that bright light above the chair, so if we forget to offer you sunglasses or other protective eyeware, just remind us.

A typical cleaning and checkup takes about an hour. Some procedures can take even longer.
That’s a long time to sit still with your mouth propped open. Feel free to suggest taking a break along the way: for the bathroom, or just to stretch. We’re happy to oblige.

At Future of Dentistry we want to create a positive environment, and for you to have a positive experience. The more comfortable you are, the better off everyone will be. Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley come to our practice for dental implants, complete general and family dentistry, and much more. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact Future of Dentistry:

781-245-2299

Locations (Tap Below To Open Your Office In Google Maps):

Future of Dentistry – Billerica
668 Boston Rd
Billerica, MA 01821
978-663-4303

Future of Dentistry – Dracut
149 Pleasant St
Dracut, MA 01826
978-957-1811

Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover/Willows Dental Group
795 Turnpike St
North Andover, MA 01845
978-685-8313

Future of Dentistry – Wakefield
968 Main St
Wakefield, MA 01880
781-245-2299

 

Keeping your teeth clean is a critical part of maintaining a beautiful smile. One of the advantages of visiting us at Future of Dentistry is having a thorough teeth cleaning and a review of your brushing habits.

Your Partner in Oral Health

Our dental hygienist can professionally clean and polish your teeth at your semiannual check-up. The hygienist also helps you keep your teeth clean by assessing their condition and recommending improvements to your daily teeth cleaning habits.

Having a professional dental cleaning is the only way to eliminate tartar, a calcium deposit that forms on teeth and contributes to decay.

Don’t Forget Basic Dental Hygiene

Brushing and flossing at least twice each day can keep plaque and tartar from collecting on your teeth and results in a cleaner, healthier smile.

To keep your teeth and gums in first-rate condition, come in to Future of Dentistry for a check-up and cleaning. Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley come to our practice for general and restorative dentistry. Call for an appointment today!

Contact Future of Dentistry:

781-245-2299

Locations (Tap Below To Open Your Office In Google Maps):

Future of Dentistry – Billerica
668 Boston Rd
Billerica, MA 01821
978-663-4303

Future of Dentistry – Dracut
149 Pleasant St
Dracut, MA 01826
978-957-1811

Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover/Willows Dental Group
795 Turnpike St
North Andover, MA 01845
978-685-8313

Future of Dentistry – Wakefield
968 Main St
Wakefield, MA 01880
781-245-2299