Why Do We Have Morning Breath?

How often do you wake up with a bad taste in your mouth? Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS assumes daily. The foul smelling breath that we start our day with, also known as morning breath is a universal condition and although it is not fully preventable, we would like to explain why it happens and how you can manage it.  

You arise from a good night’s sleep and before you can even rub the sand from your eyes you’re overwhelmed by the smell of your own breath. Morning breath is nothing to be ashamed of; it’s simply one form of bad breath. Bad breath, no matter what time it occurs at, is caused by lack of saliva, or leftover food particles that gather on the tongue and in between the teeth. To minimize this condition, it’s important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. It also helps to stay hydrated and avoid eating foods that contribute to bad breath, such as garlic and onions.

If you have questions or concerns about your oral hygiene, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213. 

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth can occur when the saliva glands aren’t working properly. Common causes may include anxiety, stress, aging, and medication side effects. If you experience constant dry mouth, the only permanent way to treat it is to identify the cause. Fortunately, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS can develop a treatment plan with you.

Saliva plays a critical role in cleansing your mouth and digesting food. It also prevents infection by controlling bacteria in the mouth. Dry mouth can range from being a nuisance to something that has a major impact on your general health. If your mouth isn’t producing enough saliva, you may notice prominent symptoms such as dryness in the mouth or throat, bad breath, difficulty chewing, and or/gum irritation. If these symptoms persist, it’s important to visit Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS so he can treat the problem.

If you experience uncomfortable dry mouth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213. 

How to Care for Dentures

When patients receive dentures, preventing dry sockets is the first order of business, but learning a new oral health regimen is the second. At Enid Dental Care, we understand that getting dentures can be frightening, which is why we want our patients to know that we are anticipating their needs by providing them with information about proper denture care.

There are many kinds of dentures, but what they have in common is that they need to be removed for cleaning every night. Doing this will also give the patient the chance to brush their mouth, including their tongue and any exposed metal, such as implants or a bar support. People should only brush their mouths with soft-bristled brushes, and the same is true while brushing their dentures. But patients should also take care to select a toothpaste which has been approved for use on dentures because toothpaste for normal teeth contains gritty minerals that scratch artificial teeth, which lack natural protective films.

Anytime they are not in the patient’s mouth, dentures should be left soaking in room-temperature liquid. The liquid may be water or a cleaning solution, but it must not be hot enough to warp the denture’s thin plastic. Although it is expected that dentures will need to be refitted on occasion, this should only be done in a dental laboratory by professionals.

Dr. Dennis Morehart, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit EnidDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Understanding Dry Sockets

While we work hard at Enid Dental Care to ensure our patients understand their post-operational instructions, complications are possible. One of the most common problems following a tooth extraction is a dry socket, so we want our patients to know how to prevent it and how to recognize if they develop one.

When a tooth is removed, it is very important that a blood clot be allowed to form over the extraction site. Without it, the socket will painfully dry out and be at risk of infection. Patients are advised to avoid sipping through straws immediately following surgery, so as not to knock the clot loose prematurely. It is also wise to forego the use of birth control, as it interferes with clot formation, and to avoid smoking or use of tobacco products (although dentists always recommend that).

When patients do suffer from dry sockets, they will usually feel severe pain about two days after the extraction. Difficulties are more likely to happen following complicated extractions which required the doctor to cut through bone or gum tissue. Patients should request an emergency appointment so they may be provided with painkillers, anti-bacterial pills, and medicated wound dressing to moisten the sockets. The dressings will need to be replaced every few days until the healing is complete, but patients usually make full recoveries.

Dr. Dennis Morehart, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit EnidDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Mouth Guards for Sports

Are you and your family getting involved in sports this season? Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS wants you to know that you may be overlooking an important safety precaution.  Athletes participating in any contact sport are advised to wear some kind of protection for their mouth. A mouth guard helps prevent damage to the teeth and jaw, and also helps prevent injuries to the cheeks, tongue, and lips.

Most sporting goods stores carry mouth guards, but they won’t provide a custom fit.  These mouth guards often end up feeling bulky and uncomfortable, leading to child and teenage athletes in particular not wearing the protection at all.  An ill-fitting mouth guard can even interrupt normal breathing and speaking.

Have your dentist perform a custom mouth guard fitting and get a mouth guard made of thin, hard plastic. Custom mouth guards can be fit over braces to protect your teeth and still fit comfortably. This is an easy precaution to take for athletes, and you can go right back to playing your best!

To learn more about mouth guards and all the services we provide, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

What is Gum Grafting?

Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS aims to can help you correct the negative effects of gum disease.  A gum graft procedure consists of harvesting healthy tissue from the roof of the patient’s mouth and transferring it to the site that needs reinforcement. This gives the deficient gum a replacement and encourages growth of new material around the graft.

When plaque and bacteria build up at the gum line, the gums stretch and form little pockets around the buildup. Even when these little pockets are cleaned out they remain at the gum line and cause the gums to recede.  Receding gums are often unsightly, and if the gums continue to recede, more of the tooth becomes exposed.  When the tooth closer to the root becomes exposed, you experience more sensitivity which can be inconvenient and painful. A gum graft can cover exposed tooth and repair receding gums.

To learn more about gum grafting and all the services we provide, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Maintain a Healthy Mouth

Your mouth consists of more than just teeth, which is why taking good care of it is important. Good oral and dental hygiene can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease – as well as help you keep your (permanent) teeth intact as you age.  Your mouth is a window into what’s going on inside your body and Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS can assist you in keeping it as clean as possible.

In addition to your teeth, your mouth is made up of gums, oral mucosa, the upper and lower jaw, the tongue, salivary glands, the uvula, and the frenulum. If the oral cavity is neglected, it can lead to gum infection. Long-term gum infection may not only result in the loss of your teeth, but it can lead to systemic conditions, such as poorly controlled diabetes and cardiovascular disease. As if you didn’t already have enough reasons to take care of your mouth, the relationship between your oral health and your overall health provides even more.

If you have questions regarding your oral hygiene routine, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.