Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is an oral health condition characterized by consistent, foul breath. Frequently unpleasant and often embarrassing, there are easy steps you can take to keep your breath fresh, starting with good oral hygiene.

The main cause of bad breath is odor-causing bacteria which collect on food particles in the mouth. Foods that accumulate between the teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue can decay, causing an unpleasant odor when not properly removed. Other common causes include certain types of food, such as garlic and onions. Tobacco use that causes dry mouth can contribute to breath odor as well.

The easiest way to eliminate bad breath is to exercise good dental hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. Remember to gently brush your tongue. Rinse and gargle thoroughly with a dentist recommended mouthwash to freshen your breath.

While the majority of bad breath is easily treated, chronic bad breath may be a sign of more serious medical disorders and underlying conditions, including gum disease, respiratory infections, diabetes, kidney or liver disease and digestive problems. With that said, if simple steps to fresher breath don't eliminate your problem, visit Eureka Dental Group to determine the cause of your bad breath.

It is important to discover the underlying cause of halitosis, and from there, create a plan to eliminate the problem. Visiting our Roseville office is a good place to start. If your mouth is determined healthy and not originating from your mouth, you may be referred to your family physician to determine the cause of your bad breath and treatment.

Gum (periodontal) disease is a chronic infection of the tissues that support your teeth caused by the buildup of plaque- the sticky, colorless film that is constantly forming on your teeth. In the early stages, bacteria-rich plaque builds up, irritating the gums. As the disease progresses, the plaque turns into hard tartar that brushing can't remove, and this can cause the tissues to pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that can trap infection. Without treatment, gum disease will ultimately lead to permanent tooth loss.

The severity of gum disease can range from simple gum inflammation to serious infections that result in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. But gum disease can impact more than your smile. In fact, the same bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease can impact other important systems in your body as well. Recent studies have found that people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from heart disease as those without gum disease.

Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease

Some patients won't show obvious signs of gum disease. That's why it's important to visit Eureka Dental Group for regular checkups and cleanings. Visit our Roseville dental office as soon as possible if you are experiencing any of the following:

• Tender, red, swollen gums
• Gums that bleed easily
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• Loosening or separating of permanent teeth
• Change in your bite
• Pus between the gums and teeth
• Persistent bad breath

Gum Disease Prevention: Start with the Basics

The good news is that being diligent about your dental health can prevent plaque from forming and even reverse early stages of gum disease.

• Visit Eureka Dental Group for routine cleanings and checkups. We can remove tartar build up and check for changes in your mouth.
• Brush at least twice a day- morning and before bed- to remove bacteria and plaque that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
• Floss daily to reach areas in between your teeth and along the gumline where harmful plaque accumulates.
• Maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet that is rich in vitamins and nutrients and low in sugary foods and drinks.

Gum disease is a serious oral infection that affects millions of Americans. And while there are several treatments a dentist can perform to treat the problem, it's best to avoid gum disease in the first place by brushing, flossing and visiting Eureka Dental Group for regular exams and cleanings. Start taking care of your gums now to prevent tooth loss and other serious health problems in the future.

Gingivitis -- an inflammation of the gums -- is the mildest form of periodontal (gum) disease and the easiest to treat. The leading cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene, which leads to plaque buildup. Plaque is the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth and gums. When plaque isn't removed with daily brushing and flossing, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis and eventually advancing to the most severe form of gum disease when left untreated. Other factors may contribute to gingivitis as well, including smoking, aging, diabetes, nutrition and pregnancy.
The signs and symptoms of gingivitis are often subtle, and many people have gingivitis without even knowing it. It's important to notify Eureka Dental Group when you notice the slightest changes in the condition of your gums, including:

• Gums that bleed easily during and after brushing or flossing your teeth
• Swollen, puffy gums
• Change in color of gums from pink to red
• Bad tasting or smelling breath
• Soft, tender gums

Reversing the Symptoms to Save Your Teeth

With professional treatment from your dentist and an improvement in your oral hygiene, gingivitis can easily be reversed since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected. Left untreated, however, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, a serious infection that destroys the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth. As the disease progresses, gums begin to recede and the teeth shift and become loose. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
Luckily, keeping gums healthy and avoiding gum disease is easy with good oral hygiene and regular checkups with your dentist. You can promote healthy gums and stop gingivitis before it develops by:

• Brush regularly, at least twice a day
• Floss daily
• Eat a well-balanced diet
• Rinse with mouthwash after brushing and flossing
• Avoid smoking and other tobacco products
• Visit our Roseville office regularly for professional cleanings and check-ups

Gingivitis is a serious condition that can lead to severe forms of gum disease when left untreated. Fortunately, with a dedicated dental health plan and regular visits to Eureka Dental Group, gingivitis is easy to detect and easy to reverse before it has a chance to advance to periodontitis.

Periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, can cause permanent damage and severe health complications if not treated right away. The infected gums can separate from the teeth, and as the infection spreads to tissue and bones, tooth loss can occur. When gum disease can't be successfully treated with antibiotics or root planing and scaling, a surgical procedure known as flap surgery may be recommended to clean the root of the tooth and repair the damaged bones that support the teeth.

The procedure for flap surgery involves the loosening of the gum from bone to expose and clean the underlying tooth structures. With the gum folded back, the dentist can remove the existing plaque and tartar, and if necessary, the bone may be reshaped or grafted. Follow-up visits with Eureka Dental Group will be an important part of the healing process.

Signs of Gum Disease

Detecting gum disease early is key for preventing permanent damage and reducing your need for extensive treatment and surgery. Common signs of gum disease include:

• Red, swollen, tender gums
• Gums that bleed easily
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• Persistent bad breath or unpleasant taste
• Loosening or separating of permanent teeth
• Change in bite

Gum disease prevention starts with good dental care at home. Brush and floss regularly and visit our Roseville office for routine appointments and cleanings. We can detect unhealthy gums in the earliest stage of infection, and work with you to find a treatment plan to help you achieve your optimal oral health.

If you've experienced tooth loss as a result of tooth decay, gum disease or injury, it's important to replace the missing teeth to avoid additional problems, including a shift in your remaining teeth, a misaligned bite, and an older, sunken facial appearance. Whether you've lost some or all of your teeth, Eureka Dental Group can provide removable dentures that can restore your smile, boost your self-esteem and improve your health.

Dentures are a set of replacement teeth for any teeth that are missing. When healthy teeth remain, there are partial dentures, which take the place of only a few teeth and prevent the others from shifting position. If all teeth have been lost, there are complete dentures for replacing an entire set of teeth, which can include upper dentures, lower dentures or both. Both full and partial dentures improve your ability to chew and speak, while supporting facial muscles and enhancing appearance.

Advancements in dental technology are creating dentures that are more comfortable, more durable and better fitting than ever before. At Eureka Dental Group, we can custom design dentures that not only replace teeth, but ensure the best possible fit, function and comfort for your jaw and bite.

Dentures can help you look better and feel better, but may offer other benefits as well. Dentures can:

• Prevent other teeth from shifting position
• Improve your ability to chew and speak
• Support the muscles in your face

The loss of one tooth or many teeth can be devastating, but it doesn't have to be permanent. The condition and severity of your remaining teeth will determine the type of denture that will best address your needs. Visit our Roseville office for an examination, and we'll work with you to determine the best treatment plan for you.