Many people suffer from bad breath and may not know why. There are several causes from the foods you eat to digestive problems. However, a very common cause is gum disease. If a person has not had their teeth cleaned in a while, there is mostly likely a layer of plaque that has formed and hardened around the base of the tooth. This plaque layer is full of bacteria and has a bad odor. If this hardened plaque layer is not removed, it will become thicker and harder. This is very damaging to the gum tissue and leads to bone loss.

A person cannot remove this hardened plaque layer with their toothbrush, it must be removed by a professional hygienist at the dental office.  Bad breath is a symptom of gum disease, but if gum disease progresses and is not treated, it can lead to severe tooth problems and even tooth loss.  The latest research also indicates there are several health issues linked to gum disease.

Another area that can cause bad breath is the tongue. Many people to do not brush this area and the tongue can collect bacteria that carry an odor. Some people even use a device called a tongue scraper, sold at most pharmacies, to help clean the tongue along with brushing.

So it is important for your overall health to stay current on your professional cleanings. This avoids the problem of bad breath as well as minimizing other health risks.

The American Diabetes Association has named November as American Diabetes Month.  It is important to be aware of how your oral health is related if you have been diagnosed with diabetes.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), there is research that suggests a link between diabetes and gum disease.  People with diabetes are more susceptible to contracting infections in general.  Gum disease is often a complication of diabetes, making consistent dental care even more important for diabetes patients.

Research also indicates gum disease makes it challenging for people with diabetes to control their blood sugar. Depending on the severity of the gum disease, it can increase blood sugar in the body, which contributes to times when the body would function with higher blood sugar.  This puts people with diabetes at increased risk for diabetic complications.

The AAP recommends the following:

• Keep your blood glucose under control
• Brush your teeth twice daily
• Floss your teeth daily
• Look for early signs of gum disease (bleeding when you brush or swollen gums)
• Visit your dentist twice a year at a minimum

Long Family Dental focuses on total body health, so when our patients have certain health conditions, such as diabetes, we make certain their customized treatment plan is designed specifically to their needs.  If you or someone you know has diabetes at any level, make sure regular dental care is part of the overall health treatment.

On Friday, November 2, 2012, Long Family Dental celebrated an open house at our new location in Midlothian, TX.   The Chamber of Commerce brought the ribbon and scissors and our entire team was there for the event.  We had many other Midlothian businesses come out and several people from the medical and health community to welcome us!  B’s Texican provided some awesome food as well!

Our Midlothian office has many amenities to offer for both patient education and comfort.  Just like in our Cleburne office, we have digital radiography which allows us to take x-rays with much lower radiation. Both offices also offer intra-oral cameras so patients can see their own dental conditions up close and personal.  In our Midlothian office, we also have a Hospitality Menu including Netflix movies, XBox, television, music and other items to make our patients as comfortable as possible. You can even bring your own DVD’s!

We hope you will come out to see our Midlothian office and even make an appointment if this is a convenient location for you.