Bad Breath

There are thousands of people who suffer with embarrassing bad breath. The good news is that with proper understanding and dental care, bad breath can be virtually eliminated! Bad breath (halitosis) usually originates from one of two sources these can be from:

Certain Foods we eat
Bacteria in our mouths that feed on leftover food particles

How to fight bad breath

Stay away from certain foods that are known to cause bad breath
Remove bacteria and food particles by brushing your teeth and flossing
Remove bacteria from your tongue with a tongue cleaner
Make sure that your mouth does not become too dry by drinking water and maintaining saliva flow
Visit the team at Glowing Smiles Dental Clinic every 6 months
Breathe through your nose and not your mouth
If you wear dentures you will need to clean them toughly on a daily basics
Chew sugar free gum to stimulate saliva which washes away food particles and bacteria in between brushing your teeth

Gum Disease

What is Gum Disease

Healthy teeth begin with healthy gums, so if youre suffering from bleeding, sensitive or swollen gums, bad breath or teeth that seemed to have moved, it may be time to take a closer look at your gums.

At Glowing Smiles Dental we can give you advice on how to prevent gum (periodontal) disease, bleeding gums and tooth decay. Regular visits to your dentist will ensure that any problems are identified early so that you can stop gum disease progressing any further. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to loss of your teeth, however our dentists
will work with you to help rectify gum problems and repair any damage to your teeth or gums that might have already occurred.

We can help provide you with dietary advice and instructions on how best to brush and floss your teeth so that you avoid the build up of plaque that can cause gum disease.

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums and bone supporting the teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults however; because gum disease is usually painless, you may not even know you have it. Although most individuals suffer gum inflammation from time to time, according to research around 10-15% of the population appear to suffer from the more severe forms of the disease, which causes loss of supporting bone. This group of people appears to be at greatest risk of losing teeth through periodontal disease.

What causes Gum Disease?

The main cause of gum disease is the formation of dental plaque, which is a sticky film on the tooth surface. The bacteria contained in plaque release toxins that can damage the gums. If plaque is allowed to accumulate, it causes inflammation of the surface of the gums which is known as ‘gingivitis’. This inflammation will resolve if the plaque is removed through cleaning of the teeth and no permanent damage is done. As the amount of plaque increases it can begin to mineralise and form tartar (calculus). Such hard deposits have a rough surface and allow more plaque to form and cause further damage to the gums. If plaque accumulates for a long time the changes it causes in the gums can lead to loss of the bone support, a condition known as ‘periodontitis’.

How do I know if I have Gum Disease?

The signs and symptoms of periodontal disease are variable but may include reddening and swelling of the gums, gums that bleed on brushing, gums that have pulled away from the teeth together with evidence of loose teeth, a bad taste in the mouth and possibly also bad breath. However, because pain is rarely a symptom until the disease is at an advanced stage, this can also go undetected as changes can vary between patience. We recommend to have your teeth and gums checked by our Dental professionals here at Glowing Smiles Dental Clinic with two convenient locations in Doncaster East and Narre Warren to l assess or detect changes in the gums, sometimes including X-rays, can be carried out as part of our routine dental examination.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

Stopping the progression of gum disease before it escalates can save patients added time, discomfort, and expense. Some Common Signs of gum disease can include:

Red, inflamed gums
Bleeding while brushing or flossing
Receding gums
Loose or separating teeth
Presence of pus between the gum and tooth
Chronic halitosis