Causes of Bad Breath

Do you often have bad breath? It may not be something you ate. We’re dedicated to helping our patients maintain their oral health at the Bridge Smiles Dental Group, and we want our patients to be aware of the signs of infection and other problems. Halitosis, or bad breath, is one of the most significant indicators that your oral hygiene needs more attention.

Bacteria colonize the papillae of the tongue and the spaces between tooth roots and the surrounding gum tissue. Their secretions turn into plaque, and eventually, tartar. Oral bacteria excretions are foul-smelling, and the more food debris oral bacteria have to feed on, the more secretions they’ll produce. They may also consume other biological material, such as nasal discharge that lands in the back of the throat.

Scent related to infections will be worse when the patient lacks saliva to neutralize bacterial acid. Other conditions that can contribute to halitosis are those such as diabetes which create an elevated risk of gingivitis. People may also suffer from bad breath if they have frequent bouts of acid reflux, which may be related to a diet high in citrus juice, alcohol, or red meat. Regular brushing and flossing is crucial to mitigating all of these, as is use of a tongue scraper and mouthwash.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Gum Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis

If you suffer from gum disease, you may be at risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). That’s the conclusion drawn by several recent studies into the long-established connection between the two diseases. At the Bridge Smiles Dental Group, we work hard to eliminate gum infections, but we need our patients to understand why it’s so important for them to keep regular appointments and practice oral hygiene.

Gum disease is caused by bacterial infection, but the causes of RA have remained unclear. The latter is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s own synovium, which is the soft tissue that lines joints. As a result, synovium becomes thick and stiff. Scientists used to think that people with RA had high rates of gum disease because they struggled to brush and floss, but it’s often the gum disease symptoms that develop first. Recently, scientists discovered that synovium and gum tissue share similar cellular structures.

New studies have found that the acid secreted by oral bacteria triggers hypercitrullination, which is a process by which proteins are deformed at a higher rate than is necessary to regulate them. The immune system responds by overproducing anti-protein antibodies, which then damage synovium. Researchers are currently investigating whether treating gum disease can reduce inflammation in people already suffering from RA, but in the meantime, patients suffering from gingivitis should schedule appointments with us to prevent joint pain as well as periodontitis.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer screenings are an examination performed by a dentist or doctor to look for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth. The purpose of an oral cancer screening is to identify mouth cancer early, when there is a greater chance for effective treatment.

There are a variety of factors that increase the chance of oral cancer. Patients who use tobacco of any kind, drink alcohol regularly, or have had a previous oral cancer diagnosis  are recommended to receive an oral cancer screening at Bridge Smiles Dental. 

Screenings are a harmless test that dentists use to determine if there may be cause for concern and if additional tests need to be done. The screening will consist of the dentist examining the patient’s mouth and feeling for any lumps and abnormalities in your mouth. Another test is patients rinsing their mouth with blue dye before an exam where abnormal cells turn blue and could lead to further examination. Testing for oral cancer is painless and doesn’t take long so give us a call at Bridge Smiles Dental to receive an exam.

For more information visit our website at www.bridgesmilesdental.com.To schedule an appointment, give us a call at 908-725-0400. Samuel Meghadri, Bridge Smiles Dental, 15 North Bridge, St Somerville, NJ.

Cirrhosis and Gum Disease

Dentistry isn’t just a way of maintaining your teeth; it’s a key component of overall health. We at Bridge Smiles Dental hope our patients understand that there are a lot of things going on in their body that can affect their oral health, including diabetes. But now scientists have found evidence that better gum health can improve symptoms of a surprising disease: cirrhosis

Inflammation throughout the body can result from cirrhosis. The disease develops when the liver becomes scarred and is unable to filter toxic chemicals from the blood. Build up of toxins and inflammation in the brain can cause cognitive fog. People with gum disease have high rates of cirrhosis. Scientists thought that could be because both diseases can result from smoking and alcohol use, but new evidence has emerged that gum disease is also unusually common in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Researchers soon became interested in whether one affects the other.

In a study recently conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University, people with cirrhosis and gum disease were divided into groups that received periodontal therapy at different times. The study found that after being treated, people were significantly likelier to experience a reduction in cirrhosis symptoms, including cognitive fog, and that they had higher counts of a gut microbe that combats inflammation. There’s still a lot about the link between oral bacteria and cirrhosis that we don’t understand, but we hope our patients will appreciate the importance of dental care and how much of a difference it can make to someone’s quality of life.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.