Joseph R. Gatti, DDS, PA

Although canker sores are often confused with cold sores, there is a difference.

The sugar content in the food you eat has a big effect on your teeth and gums. When bacterial plaque comes into contact with sugar in the mouth, acid is produced, which attacks the teeth for 20 minutes or more. This can eventually result in tooth decay.

Your oral health is an important part of your overall health, and this is never more true than during pregnancy. Good oral health habits not only help prevent oral problems during pregnancy, they also help the health of your unborn child. What you eat during your pregnancy affects the development of your unborn child — including teeth. Eating a balanced diet is necessary to provide the correct amounts of nutrients to nourish both you and your child. Your babys teeth begin to develop between the third and sixth month of pregnancy, so it is important that you receive sufficient nutrients, especially calcium, protein, phosphorous and vitamins A, C and D. There is a common myth that calcium is lost from the mothers teeth during pregnancy. In fact, the calcium your baby needs is provided by your diet, not by your teeth. If your diet does not provide enough calcium, your body will provide this mineral from stores in your bones. If you have an adequate intake of dairy products, the main source of calcium, or take any supplements your obstetrician recommends this will help you get the calcium you need. To help prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease, brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque. Be sure to clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners. Make regular visits to your dentist during your pregnancy to ensure the best possible health for you and your baby.

With many people concerned about the taste and purity of tap water, the sales of bottled water have increased significantly in recent years. Tap water goes through a process of purification designed to eliminate suspended materials, remove tastes and odors and kill microorganisms. Fluoride is added to most tap water supplies with the aim of reducing cavities. Fluoride becomes incorporated into our teeth as they develop and makes them more resistant to decay. It can reverse the progress of early cavities and reduce the need for dental treatment. Mass water fluoridation has played an important role in reducing tooth decay. The problem with bottled waters is that they usually don’t contain fluoride. So there is a risk that drinking bottled water can increase the risk of cavities for some people. If you drink a lot of bottled water, you can make up for this by using toothpaste with fluoride.

If you have any kind of swelling in your gum tissue, it almost certainly indicates a serious infection that should be treated urgently. Dental abscesses result from a bacterial infection in the teeth or tissues.

For example, it may come from an untreated cavity. Cavities result when some of the bacteria in our mouths mix with sugars and starches in our diet to produce acid. This acid attacks the hard enamel coating of our teeth and, as the cavity gets deeper, it eventually infects the nerve and blood supply of the tooth.

Maintaining proper nutrition is important for everyone, young or old, but many older adults find it difficult to eat a balanced diet. They may avoid meats, raw vegetables and fresh fruits because they have trouble chewing or swallowing. These problems can be caused by painful teeth, ill-fitting dentures, dry mouth or changes in facial muscles. Others find their sense of taste has changed, sometimes due to a disease or certain medications. As a result, older adults often have diets lacking in calcium, protein and other nutrients essential to dental and overall health.

A balanced diet has to be based on the five food groups:

- Milk and dairy products

- Breads and cereals

- Meats and dried beans

- Fruits

- Vegetables

Sometimes a multi-vitamin or mineral supplement will help, but it’s best to use supplements only after discussion with your physician.

If your teeth are stopping you from eating the food you enjoy  or that you need for good health, we can help you find a solution.

Bad breath – which is also known as halitosis – is a worrying problem that can also be embarrassing, but there is no need to put up with it. If you suffer from bad breath, we can help. We will be able to spot problems such as gum disease, dry mouth or other disorders. That’s why it is important to maintain good oral hygiene, schedule regular visits to the dentist and have professional cleaning.

Make sure you brush your teeth twice a day and clean between your teeth each day using floss or interdental cleaners. Don’t forget to brush your tongue, or better yet, we can educate you about how to scrape your tongue to remove debris and something called volatile sulfuric compounds.

If your dental check up shows that your mouth is healthy, we may refer you to your family physician as sometimes bad breath can be a sign of other health problems.

If the odor is due to periodontal (gum) disease, sometimes professional periodontal cleaning is needed to remove the bacteria and plaque that accumulate. We may also recommend a special antimicrobial mouth rinse. Keeping your mouth healthy and stopping periodontal disease are essential to reducing bad breath.

So make sure you schedule regular dental visits for a professional cleaning and checkup.