WHY DOES MY BREATH STINK? CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO HALITOSIS (BAD BREATH)

Ryan Raybould • Nov 01, 2022

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If you’ve noticed that your breath is smelly, and you’re still struggling to keep your breath fresh even while doing things like chewing gum, using mouthwash, or using breath freshening spray, you may be wondering why this is happening. Why does your breath stink, and how can you deal with this issue? Find out now in this blog from Dulles Life Smiles.

1. Improper Oral Hygiene

First, let’s start with the basics. Brushing twice per day and flossing once per day is essential for keeping your breath fresh, as it eliminates food particles that oral bacteria feed on, and an excess of oral bacteria can lead to smelly, stinky breath.

It’s best to brush once at night after your last meal of the day, then to brush once in the morning after breakfast. Make sure you’re brushing for at least two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, and floss at least once per day. Proper oral hygiene can reduce or eliminate bad breath completely.

2. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

If you brush and floss regularly but still find that your breath is stinky, you may have dry mouth, also known as “xerostomia.” In this condition, you don’t produce enough saliva, which means you can’t rinse away food particles and bacteria from your mouth. In turn, this results in a higher population of oral bacteria, which contributes to bad breath.

This can be caused by certain medications for high blood pressure or urinary conditions, and also due to chronic health issues like type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Your mouth also may be dry if you tend to “mouth breathe,” or do not drink enough water throughout the day.

3. Smoking Or Oral Tobacco Use

Smoking can cause dry mouth by impairing the production of saliva. In addition, smoking cigarettes and cigars or using chewing tobacco can make your breath smelly due to the strong scent and flavors of the tobacco, further worsening your bad breath.

4. Gum Disease

Gum disease is another common cause of halitosis. Gum disease damages your gums and causes periodontal “pockets” to form between your teeth and gums. Over time, bacteria-filled plaque and tartar and food particles can get trapped in these pockets, causing bad breath.

Other signs of gum disease include swelling of the gums, gum irritation and discoloration, and bleeding when brushing or flossing. See a dentist like Dr. Gino right away if you think you have gum disease. The sooner you get care, the easier it will be to resolve your condition with proper periodontal care.

5. GERD (Gastric Reflux)

Gastric reflux causes bile, stomach acid, and stomach contents to be regurgitated up your esophagus, which can potentially contribute to bad breath. GERD also can wear down your rear teeth prematurely, as stomach acid can damage and destroy your tooth enamel.


Need Help With Halitosis? Come To Dulles Life Smiles Today!

If you’re not sure what’s causing your breath to stink and you need help, Dulles Life Smiles is here for you. Bad breath can often indicate a number of oral health or overall health issues, and it’s important to get a proper diagnosis for your issue. So don’t wait. Contact Dulles Life Smiles online or give us a call at 703-783-2425 for an appointment with Dr. Gino, and get the care you need in Ashburn.

HOW TO PREVENT CAVITIES & TOOTH DECAY - 5 SIMPLE STEPS

By Ryan Raybould • 01 Nov, 2022
If you want to keep your teeth healthy and strong, you need to take the proper steps to prevent cavities and tooth decay. Tooth decay is, by far, the most common preventable oral disease in patients of all ages. In this blog, the team at Dulles Life Smiles will discuss a few simple steps you can take to keep your mouth healthy. ‍ 1. Brush Your Teeth Twice A Day For Two Minutes This is the most important step for preventing cavities and tooth decay. Make sure you brush at least twice a day for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste. Brush your teeth thoroughly, and ensure you clean the fronts, tops, and backs of your teeth to remove food debris, bacteria, and plaque. Ideally, you should brush once in the morning and once at night. If you want to further protect your oral health, you can also brush once after lunch. ‍ 2. Floss Once A Day & Use Antiseptic Mouthwash ‍ Flossing doesn’t just help prevent gum disease, but can also help with tooth decay. Food particles lodged between your teeth and gums can help bacteria flourish and cause cavities, so cleaning between your teeth is essential. ‍ Beyond flossing once per day, it can be helpful to use an antiseptic mouthwash. We recommend rinsing after flossing to remove any remaining food particles, kill bacteria, and freshen your breath. 3. Maintain A Healthy Diet A diet that’s good for your body is good for your teeth. Try to avoid eating overly-processed food, and eat a diet that’s high in complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and healthy dairy products like yogurt. Minimize starchy snacks like chips and pretzels, and sweets like candy and desserts. The bacteria that cause tooth decay thrive on simple starches and sugar. 4. Ditch Sugary Beverages ‍ You should avoid drinking too much soda, fruit juice, and sweetened tea and coffee, as well as sugary cocktails and other alcoholic drinks. Sugar-filled drinks will coat your entire mouth with the sugar that oral bacteria need to reproduce, and increase your risk of cavities significantly. Do your best to limit your intake of these sugar-filled beverages. 5. Get Six-Month Cleanings & Oral Exams ‍ Six-month cleanings and oral exams from the team at Dulles Life Smiles are the best way to catch potential cavities early, before they become serious enough to need a filling or a crown. With routine cleanings from Dr. Gino and our team, you can get peace of mind, and know that your smile is in great shape. Make Sure Your Smile Is Healthy With Preventive Care At Our Office! Beyond teeth cleanings and oral exams, Dr. Gino and the team at Dulles Life Smiles can provide preventive dentistry treatments like dental sealants and fluoride treatments to protect cavity-prone teeth. So if you’re worried about tooth decay in Ashburn, don’t wait. Contact us online to get the help you need, or give us a call at 703-783-2425 to schedule a consultation at our office right away.

WELCOME TO DULLES LIFE SMILES!

By Ryan Raybould • 01 Nov, 2022
Meet Dr. Gino! Originally from Peru, Dr. Gino decided to move to America with his wife in 2011. With almost seven years of experience practicing dentistry in Peru, he enrolled in Advanced Education at Howard University in Washington, DC. Dr. Gino quickly received his license to practice and has now been providing patients with quality dental care in Virginia for six years. Dr. Gino feels rewarded when he is able to make a difference in his patients lives and see their healthy, happy smiles. He is passionate about educating his patients on their oral health and always strives to ensure each patient is informed and understands every aspect of their treatment plan. Dr. Gino hopes that through open communication, he can collaborate with his patients to foster lifelong dental wellness. Outside of the office, Dr. Gino loves to spend time with his wife, Shirley, and his kids, Nicolas and Zoe. Together they enjoy getting outdoors, going on trips, watching movies, listening to music, and star gazing. Beyond Dentistry At Dulles Life Smiles, a smile for life means going beyond dental care. Our hope is to not only be a provider of superior dentistry, but to also be a pillar of our community. We feel grateful to be a part of such a wonderful city, and to show our appreciation, we give back to a local music therapy nonprofit organization called, A Place To Be. They provide music therapy to people with disabilities, medical issues, and mental struggles. For every new patient who comes to our practice, we provide educational and promotional materials for A Place To Be. We Have The Services You Need! Whether you are coming to us for preventive care, restorative treatments, or cosmetic services, we can get your smile back on track. We always provide compassionate, judgement-free care and offer complimentary cosmetic consultations. Our comprehensive range of treatments include: Pediatric Dentistry- Bring the whole family to Dulles Life Smiles! We provide engaging pediatric care for children of all ages. Invisalign- These clear aligners are a great option for appearance-conscious teens ans adults with minor to moderate orthodontic issues. Emergency Appointments- Dental emergencies can be stressful! Contact us right away for a same-day emergency appointment and get the care you need when you need it most. New Patient? Contact Us Today! We love seeing new faces at Dulles Life Smiles. If this is your first time visiting our office, be sure to check out our new patient special. We would be honored to be a part of your journey to lifelong dental wellness. Give us a call at 703-783-2425 or if you’re in Ashburn, feel free to stop by our office at 22420 Flagstaff Plaza, Suite 150, Ashburn, VA 20148. We can’t wait to meet you!

NEW COVID-19 HEALTH MEASURES

By Ryan Raybould • 01 Nov, 2022
We have implemented extra precautions regarding the coronavirus in addition to the universal precautions taken to protect everyone’s health. Among the things we are doing: Everyone at the practice has been vaccinated against COVID-19. With our Modento paperless system, say goodbye to paper forms, we prefer digital forms. We installed highly rated Air Cleaner Purifiers that exceed the current demands to have cleaner air. Disinfecting the guest lounge, check-in and check-out counter tops and bathrooms every hour. External Oral Suction Device with ultraviolet light sterilization to reduce the risk of cross infection in the op room. Disinfecting doorknobs and sinks with disinfectant wipes. Staff scrubs are changed between every patient and laundered using the “Sanitary” cycle in our brand new in-office washer/dryer. If we are using gowns we change them between patients as well. Temperature scan performed on patients upon entrance. All patients must have a temperature less than 100.4 degrees. All patients must wash their hands upon entrance. Hydrogen Peroxide rinses provided before treatment, since the COVID-19 virus may be vulnerable to it. Removed all magazines, massager and unnecessary items from the guest lounge. The beverage station is temporarily out of service. Practicing social distancing; this includes no handshaking. We screen all our patients for COVID-19 before we see them. We require face masks or cloth face coverings for everyone entering the practice.

WHAT FOODS ARE THE BEST FOR MY TEETH? OUR TOP RECOMMENDATIONS

By Ryan Raybould • 01 Nov, 2022
If you want to keep your teeth healthy, a diet low in sugar and processed foods is sure to help. Minimizing your intake of sugary and starchy foods will reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. And in this guide from Dulles Life Smiles , we’ll discuss a few top foods that will help you improve your oral health, and your overall well-being! 1. Dairy (Cheese, Milk & Yogurt) Cheese is low in sugar and high in calcium, and it’s high in casein, a protein that helps fortify tooth enamel. It also contains lots of phosphates, which help balance your mouth’s pH and can strengthen your teeth. Milk is also quite healthy for your teeth, as it’s also high in calcium and is typically fortified with vitamin D. Like cheese, it lowers acid levels in the mouth, which helps prevent cavities. Yogurt is also a top contender. Like cheese and milk, it’s packed with calcium, and also contains probiotics that are good for your oral health and your gut health. 2. Crunchy Vegetables Like Celery & Carrots Celery, carrots, and other crunchy vegetables like bell peppers are “nature’s toothbrushes!” Because they’re crunchy and fibrous and require a lot of chewing, they scrub away food particles and plaque, and help keep your teeth healthy. 3. Leafy Greens (Kale, Spinach, Lettuce) Leafy greens are full of healthy nutrients. Greens like lettuce, spinach, kale, arugula, and others contain vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, iron, calcium, and potassium, all of which are important for healthy teeth and gums, and for a healthy body. 4. Apples & Pears Crunchy fruits like apples and pears work similarly to carrots and celery. The tough, crunchy “meat’ of the fruit can help scrub other food particles away from your teeth. In addition to this, apples and pears are full of antioxidants and nutrients like vitamin C and vitamin A. The high level of fiber in the skin of these fruits also helps improve your digestion. 5. Meat Saliva production is stimulated by eating meats like chicken, beef, and fish, because a lot of saliva is required to “emulsify” the fats and proteins in meats with water in your mouth, ensuring the meat can be chewed and digested properly. In turn, this can help prevent cavities. Increased saliva production means that sugar, starches, and food particles can be rinsed away from your mouth more effectively, reducing your risk of tooth decay. Maintain A Healthy Diet & Good Oral Hygiene To Keep Your Mouth Healthy! Along with a healthy diet containing the foods listed above, it’s important to maintain a good at-home oral hygiene routine. You should brush at least twice a day for two minutes, and floss once per day. You also need to see a dentist like Dr. Gino every six months for preventive care, such as a six-month oral exam and teeth cleaning. If you’re overdue for a checkup, just contact us online or give us a call at (703) 783-2425. We’re always accepting new patients at Dulles Life Smiles.
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