Larry D. Molenda, D.D.S.

Posts

Flossing: Reasons Your Gums Bleed

Flossing is one of the best things that you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy. However, many people give up on flossing because their gums bleed. If you know the cause, then you will have a better idea of what you can do to stop the bleeding. There are several things that can cause your gums to bleed when you floss. Gingivitis Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease. It is caused by bacterial growth. Bacteria naturally accumulates on the gums, teeth, and tongue. If the bacteria is not removed by brushing and flossing, then it can mix with plaque and cause inflammation in the gums. Medication Side Effect It is important to review the side effects of your medication. Certain medications can increase the risk of gum bleeding. However, you do not want to want to stop taking a medication without consulting with your doctor first. Improper Flossing Contrary to popular belief, bleeding gums are not a natural side effect of flossing. However, if you do not floss the correct wa...

What Causes Bad Breath?

Many people experience a moment of bad breath now and again. Research studies indicate that 30% of the American population complain about bad breath. While it’s a normal phenomenon for most people, for some it’s a medical condition known as halitosis . This prevalence is why supermarket shelves are overflowing with mouthwashes , floss, gum, and other products to reduce bad breath, but many of these products only address the issue temporarily and often don’t address the underlying causes. What are these underlying causes? Some foods such as garlic and onions contribute significantly to bad breath, and some hygiene habits play an important as well. If simple changes in diet and hygiene techniques do not reduce bad breath, however, it is advisable to seek a dentist to determine the causes and best treatment options. Symptoms of Bad Breath Symptoms of bad breath differ due to the variety of possible underlying causes. Some individuals have bad breath without even realizing it, as it ...

From Chewing Sticks to Mint Toothpaste: A Brief History of Dentistry

We commonly imagine people in the past as having had completely decayed teeth, as if no one actually cared for their teeth. In reality, people in the past not only had less sugar in their diets— a positive for oral health —but they also took active steps to clean their teeth. While they didn’t necessarily have as good oral hygiene as we do today, they also didn’t all suffer from the terrible oral health conditions we often imagine. Oral Care in Ancient Cultures For much of history, humans have been constructing casual “chewing sticks” and teeth picks that used friction to remove debris. In Ancient Greece, Hippocrates (the person who made the Hippocratic Oath, related to doctors doing no harm) and Aristotle wrote about dentistry knowledge and treating decaying teeth in different sections of their book. During Roman times, they would cut sections of a carved wooden stick into different sections to use as a crude toothbrush. Along with the fact that they had different diets, they didn...

Guide To Flossing: Flossing Tools

Dental care products come in many varieties to ensure there’s an option that will work for everyone, and flossing is no exception! Traditional floss may not work for everyone, so there are a wide variety of options to fit every individual’s differing needs. Check out these popular options below: Water Picks A new and little known option for flossing is the entirely string-free water pick. Water picks are a great option for anyone might have difficulty using string floss. There are many reasons traditional floss might not be the best option for someone’s oral hygiene. String floss can be difficult to hold and maneuver for some. For those with braces, having to thread floss between each bracket can be difficult, and sometimes cause string floss to tear. If you’re dealing with sensitive gums, water picks can be less painful that flossing may be. Water picks work by using a pressurized stream of water to remove food particles and bacteria from between teeth, similar to some tools yo...

Guide To Flossing: Flossing Materials

There are tons of options when it comes to toothpaste, mouthwash, teeth whiteners, and more when it comes to dental care. When it comes to flossing options, it is no different. There are quite a few different varieties of floss, as well as different ways in which you can use these different types of floss and different ways in which they are packaged. If you are looking for the best type of floss to suit your needs, read below to find out what type of flossing material will work best for you! Non-String Options Not everyone can properly floss, because of a wide range of reasons. For young children, they might lack the finesse to accurately control floss, and because they might not use correct technique, can actually end up not benefiting very much. Small children can hurt their gums, or only focus on several teeth instead of flossing all their teeth correctly. Older adults on the other hand, might also lack fine motor control, or because of arthritis be unable to properly hand...

Types of Mouthwash and Their Benefits

While brushing, flossing, and a proper diet are all important parts of maintaining proper oral hygiene, another part of proper dental care is the use of a mouthwash. Contrary to some public sentiment, there are quite a few different types of mouthwash, and they do not all do the same exact thing. Some of these mouthwashes might cause different effects, meaning not all might be good for daily use, and each have different goals associated with the oral hygiene process. Natural Mouthwash Natural mouthwashes use various herbal options which aim to achieve the same result as chemical mouthwashes. Some of these herbs are for whitening teeth, mainly by coloration, some by burning off the top layer of scum on the teeth. Others are provided specifically for bad breath, aiming to produce a clean smell, mainly just through good smelling herbs. And others seek to combat the germs themselves. These herbs can have the same side effects that chemicals do however, but of course they give you a wide...

Do I Need a Filling or a Root Canal?

We’ve all been there. You are minding your own business and then one day you notice a pain in one of your teeth. Maybe it happens when you are eating something cold or sweet, but you definitely notice some discomfort. While this is most likely the signs of something minor, the best thing you can do is make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible so you can get a full exam done and repair any damage there might be. Two very common procedures that are needed after these types of incidents are fillings and root canals. While these are super common, they address different issues that might have similar symptoms. Here are a few key differences between situations when you need a filling versus when a root canal is necessary. The Parts of the Tooth While you might just be acquainted with the pearly white part of your teeth that you see from the outside, your teeth have several layers. The outside of a tooth is the enamel. Enamel is the most visible part of the tooth, and its m...

How Often Should You Really Brush Your Teeth?

Good dental hygiene is an essential habit for people of all ages. It helps to ensure good dental health, and can help eliminate dental problems in the future. As a child, you are taught to brush your teeth after every meal, and this routine continues for some people for several decades. Brushing and flossing are important, and it is recommended by the American Dental Association that individuals need to brush two times per day. Brushing more times than that is usually a personal choice, and can be dependent on what is eaten over the course of a day. Frequent brushing could be due to eating spicy foods, or to help eliminate bad breath. Why Should Teeth Be Brushed Often? Some of you may find brushing your teeth an inconvenient task, and only prefer to do it one time per day, and as quickly as possible. However, brushing your teeth regularly is the best thing to do to maintain good dental health. You want to keep the teeth clean, strong, and guarded against harmful plaque and to...

Risks Related to Gum Disease

When it comes to your health, there are few realities that are common knowledge. This is especially true for oral health. In general, people are aware that consuming high levels of sugary snacks or candies can do damage to your teeth, that it is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day, and that regular professional teeth cleanings is one of the best ways to maintain your pearly whites. But did you know that your oral health has a lot of impact on the health of the rest of your body as well? Dental issues, like gum disease, have been linked to a wide range of other serious ailments like heart disease, diabetes, and more. How the Body Works It might seem like your gums and your lungs or heart would not be so connected, but your body is one working mechanism that operates congruently. For instance, consider how much of your body depends on the proper function of your lungs. When one part of your body is exposed to or infected with disease, other parts respond either in order t...