Braces, Wisdom Teeth, Tooth Whitening, and Bad Breath
A. Straight Talk About Braces
You or some of your friends already may be wearing braces. Braces or other
orthodontic appliances can help straighten your teeth and correct jaw alignment.
But do you know about all these benefits?
Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to take care of and clean, which may lead
to tooth decay, gum disease, and possibly tooth loss. Bad bites can also cause
difficulty in speaking and chewing; cause abnormal wear on tooth surfaces; and
lead to problems with bones, jaw joints, and gum tissue. Correcting these
problems can make your mouth healthier and give you a great
smile.
B. Wisdom Teeth
Last In, First Out (Sometimes)
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last permanent teeth to take their
place in your mouth, sometime during your late teens or early 20s.
If they come in properly, wisdom teeth can be an asset, but many times, there
isn’t room for wisdom teeth in the jaw. When this happens, the teeth become
impacted-they can’t fully emerge from the gum tissue.
Impacted teeth can damage adjacent teeth. Partially erupted wisdom teeth are
difficult to clean and provide an opening for bacteria to settle beneath the
gumline, where they can cause an infection. Your dentist can check these teeth
in your late teens and let you know if they need to come
out.
C. Don’t Take Tooth Whitening Lightly
You’ve probably seen a lot of advertising for whitening toothpastes, and
several of them have received the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Whitening toothpastes
with the ADA Seal contain polishing or chemical action. Whitening toothpastes
should not be expected to provide the same level of whitening as a bleaching
product.
At-home bleaching kits seem to be turning up everywhere. But beware of these
over-the-counter products-tooth bleaching is not a do-it-yourself job.
Some ingredients in these kits-such as hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide
or acids-are strong solutions and can irritate your gums and other oral soft
tissues. Some people also have other reactions to bleaching products, like tooth
sensitivity. And in some cases, the bleaching will not help improve tooth
color.
If you want to make those pearly whites whiter, talk to your dentist first.
He or she can tell you if you’re a good candidate for tooth whitening. If you
are, your dentist can perform the procedure in the office or send you home with
a special tray that will limit contact between your gums and the whitener
solutions. Your dentist also can monitor your oral health during the procedure
to help prevent or limit any adverse effects.
D. Don’t Get Down In The Mouth Over Bad Breath
A lot of things can cause bad breath-certain foods, poor oral hygiene, gum
disease, a dry mouth, use of tobacco products, or a medical disorder. We’ve all
had it at one time or another, so it’s nothing to lose that smile over. In many
cases, simple changes in personal or hygiene habits can freshen you right
up.
Bacteria usually are the culprits behind bad breath, or halitosis. Good oral
hygiene-brushing twice a day and flossing daily-as well as regular visits to
your dentist often can help fight off bad breath. Brush your tongue, too, to
remove any bacteria that may be coating surface.
If you are keeping up your oral hygiene and you still feel that bad breath is
a problem, talk to your dentist. Your dentist may be able to track down the
cause and help eliminate it.
