Avoiding Bad Breath

Bad breath stinks; both figuratively and literally! Fortunately for you, Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center of Philadelphia, PA has you covered! Take some of our tips for keeping fresh breath!

Don’t let bad breath cause you embarrassment! Just remember the two most important things: cleanliness and hydration.

Cleanliness

It is probably most important to remember that bad breath comes from bacteria inside your mouth. Keep bacteria at bay by brushing two to three times per day and flossing once per day. You may also want to use a mouthwash. However, choose a mouthwash that does not have alcohol in it, as this can dry out your mouth and cause bacteria to thrive. In addition to your home oral care, visit your dentist for routine cleanings.

Hydration

Hydration is a big part of keeping away bacteria. For one, frequently sipping water or tea will help wash away bacteria so it is not sitting in your mouth. Secondly, as mentioned before, bacteria thrive in dry mouth conditions. To stay hydrated, drink your recommended daily amount of water every day. Also, stay away from drinks that can dry out your mouth such as ones that contain alcohol or caffeine.

Bad breath can be a downer but it is able to be controlled! To schedule your cleaning at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call our office at (215) 279-1193 or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. 

Reasons for Tooth Extractions

Although you’re supposed to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, sometimes they need to be extracted. A very common reason involves a tooth that is too badly damaged, from trauma or decay, to be repaired. Though wisdom tooth extractions are the most common, our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center may need to remove a tooth for other reasons such as the following.

• Some people have extra teeth that block other teeth from coming in.


• Sometimes baby teeth don’t fall out in time to allow permanent teeth to come in.


• People getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.


• Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.

If you suspect that you have a tooth that might need to be extracted, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visitwww.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Nail Biting Is Bad For Your Teeth

If you are a nail biter, our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center recommend breaking the habit. If you don’t, your dental health might suffer much more than your manicure. Believe it or not, the Academy of General Dentistry estimates that frequent nail biters may rack up $4,000 in additional dental bills over the course of their lifetime. This is because teeth risk cracking, chipping, or becoming worn down from the stress caused by biting.

People who bite their fingernails when stressed pose a higher risk of bruxism. Bruxism, more commonly known as teeth grinding, is the unintentional grinding or clenching of teeth that may cause facial pain. These so-called “Bruxers,” may bite down too hard unconsciously and at inappropriate times, such as when they are sleeping. Other dental health risks for nail biters include sore and damaged gum tissue caused by jagged, sharp fingernail edges.

If are concerned that nail biting has damaged your teeth, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visitwww.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Restoring Tooth Enamel

Tooth enamel can be damaged by a variety of factors. These include overexposure to acids from everyday food and beverages, physical damage to teeth, and other oral health issues. Enamel is the toughest shell in the human body and helps protect your teeth from daily use such as chewing, biting, crunching and grinding. You wouldn’t think that the strongest bone in your body could break, but once the damage is done, it can only be repaired. To rebuild tooth structure once it’s lost and protect the teeth from further erosion, our staff at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center may recommend tooth bonding or dental crowns.

Unlike a broken bone that can be repaired by the body, once a tooth chips or breaks, the damage is permanent and that part of the tooth is gone forever. Because enamel has no living cells, the body cannot repair it once it is chipped or cracked. When enamel erodes, the tooth is more susceptible to cavities or decay. To prevent enamel loss from occurring and to keep teeth healthy it’s important to brush and floss your teeth daily.

If you believe your tooth enamel may need to be restored, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.