How Mouth Breathing Can Impact your Oral Health

Do you know Breathing from Mouth can actually have bad impact on your oral Health?

Well the answer is YES. Breathing from your mouth (Mouth Breathing) have adverse and serious effect on oral health. 

We all know that brushing your teeth for twice a day or flossing your teeth will help to remove all the bacteria or dirt from your teeth, also thee are many things to avoid to keep your oral health more healthy and strong and keep your smile fresh and natural. There is one more thing which you may don't know and that you need to avoid to maintain your oral health is MOUTH BREATHING i.e breathing through your mouth. There are some reasons like if person is suffering from (CNO) i.e Chronic  nasal obstruction where you may not be able to breathe through your nose and you have to breathe from mouth. Mostly people breathe in and expel air through nose. But there are some people who expell the breathe through mouth, this may put you on great risk for building up poor oral health.

Mouth Breathing makes your mouth your lips more drier dry mouth is a dangerous mouth. Not only can a chronically dry mouth lead to bad breath and increase the risk of tooth decay and cavities, it can also put you at risk for gum disease and gingivitis. Gum disease is a serious oral health problem that has been linked to whole-body issues like heart attacks, strokes, and heart disease. Because of Mouth breathing, your mouth mouth becomes dry and decreases the amount of saliva, because of which the chances of tooth decay and other problems of oral health start increasing.

Let us discuss the causes/ sign & symptoms and the possible treatments for Mouth Breathing.

Causes Of Mouth Breathing:

* Chronic breathing issues
* Sinus
* Asthma
* Cold, cough, flu.
* Nasal Obstruction
* Sleep Apnea
* Tonsil

Signs and Symptoms of Mouth Breathing:

* Snoring
* Gum Disease
* Dry Lips
* Crowded Teeth
* Infections including sinus, ear, colds
* Misalignment teeth.

There are some treatments option that you can take care off:
If you or your any close one is suffering from the mouth breathing habit please go to your dentists and start your treatment immediately.

1. Your dentists may do your routine dental examination.
2. The most treatments include special pillows, mouth guards, equipment to correct sleep apnea.
3. Treatments to address health conditions i.e sinus or Asthma.
4. Improve the position of the jaw.
5. Get treated your misaligned teeth.
6. Jaw Surgery.

If you have any question or want to know more about the Mouth Breathing or suffering from such problem feel free to contact Greenbelt Oral & Facial Surgery. Call us at (301)-982-4555 or visit our Dental office at 7525 Greenway Center Drive, Suite 109, Greenbelt MD 20770.

6 Dental #Myths about the health of your teeth.

Myth 1: Candies/ Sugar is the biggest reason to cause Cavities:

Sugar or sugary products are the main and important reason or play a role in tooth decay. We all know that sugar/ candies help to the formation of cavities. It's not that simply eating chocolate cause cavity. The chocolate which contains high sugar creates a major problem to your teeth while consuming high sugary products. Bacterias also eat sugar, if any sticky or sugary product you take be aware to wash your mouth properly otherwise the bacteria attract to teeth. So after having your meal brush your mouth to reduce the plaque buildup. Brush your teeth twice a day.

Myth 2: Consuming more Acidic food can damage your teeth:

Do you know acidic food creates sensitivity and decay to your teeth? Food like orange and lemons contains acid but consuming those foods won't's destroy your teeth. So don't worry you can have those foods. But you need to drink a lot of water when you have your acidic foods, as water will wash away the acid from our water/teeth. Also, clean your teeth twice a year and have your dental checkups.

Myth 3: Don't need to Brush Baby Teeth:

It is wrong that we don't brush the baby teeth. We all know that the baby teeth have a short life span then adult teeth. But you should create the habit of brushing your baby tooth as soon as it starts coming to the kid. Brushing your teeth is a good habit. If you start brushing your teeth as soon as your baby starts building up the teeth it will be good and the baby will start getting the habit to keep the mouth and teeth clean. If a baby tooth is not brushed or cleaned the there will be a complication, dental health issues (tooth decay, cavity, gum problem, dental pain) that kid will suffer for a lifetime.

Myth 4: Charcoal Toothpaste is good for Teeth:

Charcoal is used for removing the bacteria and helps to whiten. This charcoal toothpaste is also marketed and very well known for whitening. It is also used for protection for teeth. Charcoal works as a protective agent which will keep your teeth healthy and strong. So it will be good if you want to make your teeth white and clean you can use charcoal toothpaste.

Myth 5: Chewing Gum Works Like Brushing:

Chewing gum is not a replacement for brushing your teeth. Some chewing gums can promote cleaner teeth and better breath, and some dentists even recommend the sugar-free varieties to chew on instead of candy. However, while some chewing gums serve as aids to oral health, they still don’t reach the level of being able to replace brushing your teeth.

Myth 6: Brush your teeth with soft bristle toothbrush:

Brush your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Brush your teeth daily twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush. As soft bristle toothbrush helps to protect your teeth. Also, it makes you comfortable to use it. It will never hurt your teeth or gums while brushing. While Hard bristle toothbrush will hurt you and your teeth which will lead to other dental problems. Even with soft bristle toothbrush you can brush or clean your teeth harder so that your mouth, teeth remains healthy.

Schedule your appointment with Greenbelt Oral & Facial Surgery. Call us at 301-982-4555 or Book online or visit our office at 7525 Greenway Center Drive, Suite 109, Greenbelt MD 20770 

5 ways how sugar affects your Dental health

As we know that people like the sweet product the most. Not only sweets or desserts I m talking also sugary drinks included. In Today's tradition, we all know that without sugar, sweet or desserts the food remains incomplete. So people enjoy the sugary product. But have you ever know that the sugary products how it affects the tooth and created dental problems such as sensitivity, cavities, etc.

Do you know what are sugars?
Sugars are sweet like crystal substance mainly sucrose that is white in color which is obtained from sugar cane. Sugar is a common food that is consumed on a daily basis. So if you don't take care of your tooth like after taking sugary food or having meals if you don't brush your teeth or don't wash your mouth properly then your teeth will have a great impact you will suffer from dental issues.

Do you have any idea that how this sugary product affects your teeth and how this sugar and dental health are connected to each other? Let's discuss how sugar and dental health are connected.

1. SUGAR ATTRACTS BAD BACTERIA AND LOWERS YOUR MOUTH PH:

Sugar is like a magnet for bad bacteria. It attracts the bacteria towards the teeth and creates dental issues. Also if the plaque is not washed away by saliva or brushing, the mouth becomes more acidic and cavities may start to form. Any pH level below seven indicates an acidic environment in the mouth. The enamel is composed of minerals, and acidity breaks down these minerals and begins to dissolve the outer layer. This makes the tooth decay.

2. CONSUMING FOOD AND DRINK HIGH IN SUGAR CAN HAVE NEGATIVELY AFFECT ON ORAL HEALTH:

You should avoid consuming more sugary drinks, sugary products, sugary beverages, etc such as soda, coffee drinks, tea, orange juice, chocolates, chocolates related drink, Aerated drinks (soft drinks) which include the Cola, caffeine, etc. Also, avoid consuming more alcohol also has great effects on dental health. As these sugary products contain high acid. If you avoid candies, cakes, pastries, it will be good for you because these foods are the big enemies of teeth and results in the formation of cavities.

3. DENTAL CLEANINGS AND SUGAR:

Brushing or cleaning of teeth can help you to keep your oral health. Because consuming of more sugary foods daily can damage your teeth. So at least twice a day you should brush your teeth after taking a meal. Even if your teeth are professionally cleaned every six months, sugar can do an immense amount of damage between cleanings. This is why preventive dentistry plays such an important role in protecting teeth from the effects of sugar.

4. BACTERIA FEEDS ON SUGAR:

The mouth is teeming with bacteria, both good and bad. Everything we consume feeds these bacteria, groups of unicellular organisms that are nourished by starches and sugars. Colonized bacteria present as dental plaque. As a result of digestion, the bacteria produce acid. The acid then eats away at tooth enamel. This is what causes tooth decay, and eventually cavities.

5. SUGAR RESTRAIN THE FUNCTIONALITY OF SALIVARY GLAND SYSTEM:

Sugar can change the composition of saliva and can lead to dry mouth. When this saliva is not cleaned properly the teeth are higher on risk to create the problem of cavities.

Request an appointment here: http://www.greenbeltsurgery.com or call Greenbelt Oral and Facial Surgery at (301)-982-4555 for an appointment in our Greenbelt MD office.

Top 5 Ways to Combat Dental Phobia

Top 5 Ways to Combat Dental Phobia. If you fear to go to the dentist, you are not alone. Between 9% and 20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear. Indeed, it is a universal phenomenon.Few people look forward to a spell in the dentist's chair. Below are the Top 5 Ways to Combat Dental Phobia. But serious anxiety prevents millions of Americans from seeking proper preventative care. The consequences of this problem may go far beyond dental pain or lost teeth. Gum disease is a serious infection that can affect other parts of the body. Studies now link it to illnesses including. heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Top 5 Ways to Combat Dental Phobia

Fear #1 Needles phobia

The level of fear varies from person to person, and some people are afraid of dental injections in particular, while others are phobic about any sort of needle. Between 1 and 3% of the US, the population has some kind of phobia about needles(aichmophobia) or, subtly different, injections (arachnophobia). So you are not the only one but you can Overcome it with Our care of  Greenbeltsurgery.

Fear #2 The Drill

Some people may fear pain from a drill. This fear can be triggered by the sound of the drill.
However, patients are numbed before using the drill. When sufficiently numbed, you won’t feel any pain at all. You’ll just be aware of light pressure and vibration.
If the sound troubles you, pop in earphones and listen to some music. This can help to calm and/or distract you. It can be a calming classic or a pumping dance track – whichever you prefer!

                                          Fear #3 – Pain

If you’ve had a bad experience with dental pain before, you may be afraid of a repeat experience. However, many factors come into play with dental pain.
Anesthetics and numbing gels are now available for most treatments. This means it’s not likely to be the painful experience you’ve had in the past.
Also, when you’re more fearful, you tend to tense up. This may make you more sensitive to pain.

 Fear #4 – Embarrassment About Bad Teeth 

Embarrassment is perhaps THE most common concern voiced by people who haven’t been to a dentist in a very long time. It may come as a surprise to some that the days when “the lecture” was part-and-parcel of a visit to the dentist are gone. Dentistry has evolved into an industry which supplies a service to the potential customer – you!

    

                                       Fear #5 – Sedation Fears

Sedation effects differ from person to person. The most common feelings are drowsiness and relaxation. Once the sedative takes effect, negative emotions, stress, or anxiety may also gradually disappear. You may feel a tingling sensation throughout your body, especially in your arms, legs, hands, and feet.

Fears about being sedated fall into two categories.

Some people fear they will be too awake and aware of the pain. They worry their teeth and gums won’t be numb enough and they’ll be in pain.

Others fear to be numb as they feel they will be out of control. This can lead to fears that they will suffocate, choke or be unable to swallow.

It’s important to realize that for top teeth, only an individual tooth will be numbed. For bottom teeth, sometimes your tongue or cheek may feel swollen when numbed, but they won’t be. You lose sensation in these areas but not function.

So, be reassured – you will not choke or be unable to swallow.

Overcoming Dental Fears and Anxieties

Here are some tips to help overcome your dental fears and anxieties:

1. Identify your fear. Once you know exactly what you’re fearful about, you can start working towards a solution.
2. Choose a great dentist who listens and cares. Your fears will only increase if you’ve chosen a dentist who isn’t right for you. Consider a pediatric dentist for your children.
3. Take someone with you. Some patients find it comforting to take a friend along.
4. Ask for the perception of pain. You may find emotional relief from knowing what to expect with treatment. Ask your dentist to pre-warn you about the sensations you might experience. For instance, will it be a tingle or feel like a mosquito bite?
5. Don’t be afraid to ask for sedation if you think it may help.
6. Learn about mindfulness, meditation and breathing techniques. They are great ways to reduce your anxiety.
7. Seek professional help. The best course of action is to deal with the root cause of your fear. Unless you do this, you will always fear trips to the dentist. Do you really want to continue having to psych yourself up for every visit?

How Can Dental Implants Help My Smile?

Dental implants are a permanent solution for treating your tooth loss. In fact, they are actually the next best thing to real teeth. While dentures and dental bridges aren't designed to last your whole life, implants potentially could.
These small metal posts or screws are surgically placed into the jawbone where, over time, the bone will heal around the implant making it a permanent structure within the jawbone. This fusion ensures that the implant won't go anywhere and it certainly won't move or shift around like full dentures often can.

Dental implants can replace your teeth and restore your Dental Implants smile to what it once was. But how do these revolutionary, state-of-the-art dental restorations work? How can they benefit you? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Dr.Elyassi at Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Potomac, MD.


They preserve the health of your jawbone
Tooth loss also leads to jawbone loss. By placing the implant into the jawbone it takes over the role of your missing tooth' s roots and also offers stimulation that the jawbone needs to remain healthy. The sooner you get implants from our Greenbelt dentist the less bone loss you' ll experience.


Enjoy a durable, long-term tooth replacement
With the proper care, your new tooth could last you the rest of your life. Only implants naturally meld together with your bone and tissue, meaning that you won't find another tooth replacement that' s as realistic and resilient as implants.


Dental Implants Greenbelt, MD
Dental implants require a two-phase process and several dental appointments. Those undergoing this procedure should have realistic expectations for their results and be committed to completing the process.

Don' t lose the battle against tooth loss. Your smile can be transformed thanks to a little help from our dental implants. Call Dr. Elyassi at Greenbelt Oral and Facial Surgery in Greenbelt, MD today.

What to Expect During a Dental Implants Procedure

Placing a dental implant is a process that is different for each patient. The healing process and the steps required all depend on what’s going on in your mouth. The only way to know exactly what to expect is to consult with us at our office, but we’d be happy to give you an overview here:

Can I go back to work right away?
You may have read that it can take months to completely heal from a dental implant procedure. This is true, but a little misleading. Many patients are able to return to work the next day, but the mouth takes time to truly be ‘good as new’. It all depends on your specific procedure. We recommend that you plan to rest for a day. Keep in mind that your body will heal faster if you avoid exhausting yourself. If you take good care of yourself, you should be back to work very quickly.

How can I care for myself while I heal?
After the surgery, you will need to go easy on your mouth. Just like after any oral surgery, we recommend eating only soft foods for at least two weeks. You may be given antibiotics and instructions to rinse with salt water. Keeping your mouth clean is important to prevent infection. Avoid smoking.

About Bone Grafting
It may be the case that your bone is not strong enough to support the implant. In this case, bone grafting may be necessary. During this routine procedure, we take bone from a stronger part of your jaw or another part of your body, implant it into the jaw and are thus able to encourage your body to begin growing strong, new bone in its place. If you only need a small amount of bone, it may be possible to do the procedure during the same appointment as your implant surgery. However, it may be the case that you need to wait for bone growth to occur prior to us placing the implant. Every case is different.

Let us properly inform you on what you personally can expect! If you have any questions call our Greenbelt MD office at 301-982-4555.

Oral Surgeon | Tooth Extraction Surgery, Greenbelt MD

One of the most common questions we get from our patients is how to take care of their mouths after any type of Oral Surgeon; primarily extractions.  While the mouth can be a bit sore after procedures such as prepping for a crown, fillings, etc. (swishing with warm salt water will help soothe the gums), we run into the most problems when it comes to extractions.  The following tips will help heal the gums as fast as possible and make for an experience involving as little pain and discomfort as possible!

1. Starting the day AFTER the extraction, swish 3 to 4 times a day with warm salt water (about a teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces of water).  After swishing for about 30 seconds, stand over the sink and let the salt water mixture “drool out”, do not forcefully spit it out!

2. DO NOT drink through a straw for at least 72 hours.

3. If you are a smoker, hold off for as long as possible.  We recommend at the VERY LEAST 72 hours, however the longer the better.  If you smoke before the 72 hour time frame you can experience what is known as a “dry socket” and experience extreme pain.  For more information on the definition, symptoms, causes, and remedies of a dry socket visit: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-socket/basics/definition/con-20025990 

4. Stick to as soft of a diet as possible.  Foods such as mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, ice-cream, Jell-O, applesauce, broth, scrambled/poached eggs, etc.  Avoid anything that can get stuck in the area such as popcorn, peanuts, rice, chips, spicy foods, alcohol, etc.

5. In many cases Ibuprofen is recommended to help subdue discomfort (over the counter Ibuprofen can be used, but in some cases the doctor may write a prescription for a higher dosage of Ibuprofen).  Ibuprofen also acts as an anti-inflammatory so it will help reduce swelling and soreness.

6. Always schedule a follow-up appointment to see your doctor so they can evaluate the extraction site and verify that you are healing accordingly!

**Always be sure to follow your doctors’ specific directions for home care after any type of oral surgery!  Each patient is different and may require further and/or different care instructions!**