No one wants to worry about their breath, especially not when you should be relaxing with a loved one. Our Jackson Center for Smiles staff will help in any way we can, and we thought a good start would be some tips about how to figure out if you have bad breath, where bad breath comes from, and what to do about bad breath.

Do I Have Bad Breath?

It can be really difficult to figure out if your breath is fresh or not. There are a number of little tricks you can try, but they aren’t very accurate in the long run. The best way really is to ask someone close to you.

It may seem scary to ask someone about your breath, but isn’t it better to know and work to fix it, then to not know and always wonder?

Causes of Bad Breath

Dry Mouth. If you’ve read our Dry Mouth blog post, you’ll know that this is the number one cause of bad breath. Saliva cleans your mouth as it circulates, getting rid of odor-causing bacteria. Our Jackson team has many ways to help with dry mouth, but the immediate solution is simple: drink more water!

Food. Everyone knows that onions and garlic make breath have a distinctive odor and this may not be exactly what you’re going for on your big, romantic night. Try bringing a toothbrush and toothpaste with you on your big date so that you can clean your teeth discreetly after you finish dinner.

Tobacco. Whether it’s smoking or chewing, tobacco interferes with your natural saliva production and very quickly leads to bad breath. Try staying away from tobacco during your date, or brushing your teeth as quickly as possible when you are finished.

Fixing Bad Breath

You’ve heard us say it before, and we’re going to say it again: the best way to maintain the beauty and health of your teeth is a consistent oral hygiene routine. If you have any questions, check out our oral hygiene page.

Chronic Bad Breath

If bad breath is a consistent problem for you or one of your loved ones, it could be an indication of a more serious health issue. Please be sure to mention it to our dental staff, either at your next appointment or by calling us with your concerns. Jackson Center for Smiles is always here to help you!

Dr. Watson wants to make sure you understand why the alignment of your teeth is such a big deal, and the options you have to fix any problems you may have. Always be sure to bring up any questions you may have with our Jackson dental staff, whether you have an appointment or call us up on the phone.

Are Your Teeth Aligned?

Malocclusion is when teeth are not aligning properly, and it can be caused by a number of things both in and out of your control. Often, malocclusion is hereditary, which means if your parents’ teeth didn’t align properly, chances are yours won’t either. This could be from the shapes of your jaws, overcrowded or unevenly spaced teeth, or an abnormal bite pattern.

Changes in your mouth can also have a dramatic effect on the alignment of your teeth. These can include:

• Loss of teeth, naturally or through extraction
• Chipped teeth
• Jaw injury
• New fillings, crowns, bridges, or dental appliances
• Braces or retainers
• Tumors of the mouth or jaw

Malocclusion Symptoms

Most people have some degree of misalignment in their teeth, but it doesn’t always cause problems. The Jackson Center for Smiles staff will always check to make sure everything looks right, and you should make sure to let us know if you have any pain or discomfort.

Symptoms of malocclusion include tooth pain, jaw pain, sensitivity to cold or heat, discomfort while biting or chewing, jaw popping, and mouth breathing due to an improperly closing mouth.

Align Your Bite

If Dr. Watson discovers that your bite is not aligned and that it is causing problems for you, there are a number of options available to fix the issue. A simple light filing of protruding points may get rid of any pain or discomfort, or we may readjust any new dental work you have in your mouth. In more troublesome cases, we might recommend braces or other appliances to straighten your teeth. The treatment for your mouth depends on your individual variables, and we will always make sure to find the best solution for all of our Jackson patients!

What is Hydrogen Peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide is a common household product that can be found for very cheap at your local pharmacy or grocery store. Chemically, it is two oxygen molecules with two oxygen molecules, and it appears as a clear liquid with about the consistency of water. In the solution you can find in stores, it is diluted with water to only 3%.

1) To Ease a Toothache

If one of your teeth starts to hurt and you can’t make it to our Jackson office right away, try putting a capful of hydrogen peroxide in your mouth and holding it there for ten minutes, then spitting it out. This can be repeated several times a day until the pain subsides.

Much of the pain people experience in toothaches is caused by swelling and infection, which hydrogen peroxide helps fight. However, remember that this should only be used as a short term solution and you should see Dr. Watson as soon as possible.

2) To Help Treat Gingivitis

Hydrogen peroxide is a great way to kill germs, and germs are the force that leads to gingivitis. After you floss and brush your teeth, vigorously swish with an ounce of hydrogen peroxide, making sure to get all of the gum lines, including behind the upper lip. Swish for 5 or 6 seconds, then spit the chemical out and rinse with water.

3) To Clean Your Toothbrush

Once a week or more, soak your toothbrush bristles in a freshly poured cup of hydrogen peroxide. After about five seconds, watch it bubble as it kills the germs!

Leave your toothbrush in the cup for a few minutes to ensure it is properly cleaned, then rinse it off with water. Make sure to always use a fresh cup of hydrogen peroxide, as the chemical degrades when it’s exposed to light.

4) As a Toothpaste Substitute

Ever forget to buy toothpaste and find yourself without even that last little bit? Mix together one part hydrogen peroxide to four parts baking soda and brush your teeth with that. It may be a little grittier than you’re used to, but it works in mostly the same way.

Don’t forget though, that hydrogen peroxide degrades with light, so you can’t make large batches of this solution to store for later use.

5) To Propel a Rocket

Okay, so you can’t actually do this with the diluted, 3% concentration of hydrogen peroxide that is sold at stores. And you certainly shouldn’t put rockets in your mouth. But the chemical was used at 70-98% concentrations to propel rockets during World War II, and is still used for some satellites. How cool is that?

Don’t worry: we’re not going to tell you to stop drinking coffee! We understand how necessary that morning (or afternoon) boost of caffeine can be, especially during these gloomy, winter months. We love our coffee too!

This Jackson Center for Smiles post is just to help you take care of your teeth by protecting them from stains and ridding them of any discoloration as safely as possible.

Why does coffee stain teeth?

Coffee is one of the leading causes of stained teeth in our area, and the discoloration can be as unsightly as those from tobacco. So why does coffee stain?

Unlike other drinks such as tea and red wine, coffee does not contain the chemical tannic acid, which is responsible for staining teeth. Coffee simply passes on its dark color to your teeth, as it does to porcelain cups, sweaters, and white carpet.

Protect Your Teeth from Coffee Stains

The most effective and easiest way to protect your teeth is to rinse with water when you finish your cup of coffee. Water is a great, healthy drink anyway, and using it to follow coffee helps rid the caustic chemicals from your mouth.

Another piece of advice that may seem strange is to drink your coffee as quickly as possible. This will minimize the time your teeth are in contact with the staining liquid, which will help prevent and diminish the damage to your enamel.

Whiten Teeth

If your teeth are already stained from coffee or any other substance, whitening may be an option. You should always check with Dr. Watson before whitening your teeth, and our Jackson dental staff will recommend the treatment that is right for you.

There are many whitening options available, whether you choose to use an in-office treatment or buy strips or gels from the store. We can help you find the perfect choice that will get rid of stains without damaging your teeth

Coffee and Caffeine

Of course, both for your teeth and your general health, it is best to limit the amount of coffee you drink each day. Too much caffeine, whether it’s from coffee or Red Bull© or Pepsi©, can affect your heart and stomach and lead to serious health problems over time.

Here in our Jackson office, we want to do everything we can to protect and maintain not only your oral health, but your overall health as well. If you have any questions about coffee stains, teeth whitening, or anything else, please contact Jackson Center for Smiles today!

Interestingly, TMD is 9 times more likely to affect women than men, but all Jackson residents should be aware of the symptoms. Jackson Center for Smiles is hoping to help our patients remove stress and pain from their lives this holiday season!

TMD Symptoms

First, you may be wondering if this disease can help explain some of the difficulties you have with your mouth. Interestingly, many of the symptoms of TMD may be something that you deal with every day but never thought of as related to your jaw. They can include:

- Dizziness

- Ringing in ears

- Headaches

- Neck aches or stiff neck

- Earaches

- Radiating pain in face

- Jaw aches

- Inability to open mouth wide

- Pain when chewing

- Sensitive teeth

- Tendency to dislocate or “lock” jaw

- Clicking, popping or grinding jaw

Women and TMD

Researchers are not conclusive on the exact causes, but the following are a number of conditions that may explain why so many TMJ sufferers are women.

Physical Structure

One reason more women than men are affected by TMD/ TMJ is pure and simple: there are differences in the bone and muscle density between the genders. We aren’t exactly sure which of these disparities are related to TMJ and in what way, but it is certain that they play some role in the development of the disease.

Teeth Grinding

Women are far more likely than men to brux, or grind and clench their teeth. This can happen during the day or while you sleep, but chances are you don’t even know you’re doing it. In fact, the vast majority of Americans grind their teeth at some point, it’s just a matter of to what degree.

Life Stressors

Research has shown that women are more responsive to emotional imagery and stress in their daily lives than men. This is combined with the fact that hormones have a huge influence on where, and how significantly, stress and pain affect our bodies. Stress is the leading reason most people grind and clench their teeth both during the day and while they are sleeping.

Migraines

Both migraines and TMJ are affected by teeth grinding and clenching, and both disorders affect women more often than men. Although there is not yet a clear cause and effect relationship, the jaw clenching muscles in migraine sufferers tend to be about 70% larger than in those who don’t experience migraines. These enlarged muscles are certain to intensify the presence of TMJ symptoms.

Arthritis

All joint disease can have oral manifestations, most notably, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Your mandibular is a joint just like your fingers, wrists and knees, and can be affected by disease in the same debilitating way. Women are more likely than men to suffer from these joint diseases, and therefore more disposed to the chronic joint deterioration, pain and diminished function associated with them.

TMJ Treatments

While the outlook for TMD sufferers may sound grim, the reality is anything but. Here at Jackson Center for Smiles we can design a treatment specifically for you to discover the causes and appropriate treatments of your TMJ. If you are even a little concerned that you may have TMD, contact Dr. Watson today.

No matter what your problem, we can find a way to make your pain and discomfort disappear!

Snoring isn’t fun for anyone to listen to, especially for house guests on Christmas Eve. Chances are, if you or one of your loved ones snores, they probably have sleep apnea, which can be a much more serious disease than many people realize. Over 12 million people don’t know they have sleep apnea, and Dr. Watson wants to help all those patients in Jackson get diagnosed and begin treatment. Jackson Center for Smiles has compiled a list of ten sleep apnea facts to help educate everyone this holiday season.

1) Feeling overweight? People with sleep apnea don’t create human growth hormone at night, which can lead to further weight gain.

Human growth hormone is naturally produced during the first few hours of sleep, but a night interrupted by apneic episodes prevents this process from happening. Insufficient human growth hormone can lead to lower levels of testosterone and a decrease in lean muscle mass in the body, both of which encourage weight gain.

2) If you’re peeing a lot at night, you may have sleep apnea.

Nocturia, or nocturnal urination, can be one symptom of sleep apnea, and often one that people do not associate with this disease. Doctors believe that nocturia is most likely due to the fact that when you have sleep apnea, your heart does not get enough oxygen, which can lead to excess pressure on the organ. The body often misinterprets this pressure as the heart having too much fluid, and it attempts to solve the problem by inducing the need to urinate. This, and many other symptoms should go away if you begin treatment for sleep apnea.

3) Men are 6 times more likely to have sleep apnea than women.

However, after women go through menopause, this statistic evens out to a 1 to 1 ratio.

4) Treating sleep apnea will allow much easier weight control.

This can work in a number of ways, many of which are directly related to getting more, better quality sleep. These benefits include increasing the amount of natural human growth hormone produced while you sleep (see point #2), and raising your daily energy level, making it easier to exercise.

5) Sleep apnea is related to heart problems, and not just because of its relation to being overweight.

As mentioned in point #1, sleep apnea decreases the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream while you sleep, which is very bad for your heart and can cause a lot of problems. When added to the fact that simply being overweight increases your risk of heart disease, this fact is very worrisome for everyone in Jackson looking to live a long, healthy life.

6) An improperly fitted bruxism guard for grinding can actually increase apnea.

If you bought a night guard online, at a grocery store, or even from a poorly trained dentist, chances are it doesn’t fit right. This can lead to misalignment in your teeth and jaw and can affect your airways while you sleep, which increases your chances of suffering from an apneic episode. Dr. Watson can easily fix this by making sure your guard fits properly, and continually checking it over time to prevent uneven wear and tear.

7) People with sleep apnea can stop breathing up to 400 times in one night.

Apneic episodes occur when your body’s normal cycle is interrupted and you are triggered to truly stop breathing. In mild cases, this may occur only a few times each night, but people with severe apnea can endure hundreds of episodes.

8) People with sleep apnea are three times more likely to be involved in motor vehicle accidents.

The lack of proper sleep caused by apnea leads most people to feel drowsy and unrested throughout the day. Some may even be so sleep-deprived that they fall asleep during normal activities such as talking or driving. Not a good thing!

9) Sleep apnea really is dangerous.

Although some people dismiss it as “just snoring,” this disease has very serious consequences and can greatly impact your health. A lack of healthy sleep increases your risk of heart attack, encourages weight gain, and leads to accidents at home, on the job and while driving (see point #8).

10) Dr. Watson can help your sleep apnea!

Dentistry has taken huge strides in working to cure people of their sleep apnea. Specially designed and personally fitted mouth guards are becoming an extremely popular treatment option, as they are often easier to use and less intrusive than the traditional CPAP machine. A simple consultation with Dr. Watson can help anyone in Jackson discover if this treatment is right for you, and we hope everyone encourages their loved ones to get checked out.

So which colors do this? A general rule is to try to stick with those that have blue undertones which will contrast with the yellow tints of your teeth and make them appear brighter and whiter. When looking for a specific color, try in the deeper reds and maroons. Stay away from nudes, peaches, neutral pinks, and frosted lipsticks, which can make your teeth look the same color as the lipstick.

Also important to remember is the sheen of the lipstick. Glossy, wet looks reflect light off your lips, adding depth and making your teeth shine as well. Matte finishes will make your smile look darker, bringing out any stains you may have. Some brands even have specific lines devoted to teeth-whitening lipstick, so check it out the next time you are in the makeup aisle.

Get Lipstick Off Your Teeth

How about getting lipstick on your teeth? One way to avoid this is with careful application followed by pouting your lips and poking your finger in your mouth to remove any excess color. Another great way is to keep your teeth as clean as possible so that the lipstick has nothing to cling to. Also, you should avoid activities like smoking, smacking your gum or biting your nails. Believe it or not, smiling keeps the lipstick off your teeth more than a straight face or a frown. So smile more!

If you find the perfect shade of lipstick but are still unhappy with the color of your teeth, talk to Dr. Watson about any number of cosmetic procedures that can give you the smile you deserve. We are here to help you get the beautiful smile you deserve!

You might think that there is no way you could have diabetes, and that this post doesn’t relate to you at all. But did you know that the American Diabetes Association estimates more than 7 million people in our country are living with undiagnosed diabetes?

Could I have diabetes?

Often people with Type 2 diabetes have no symptoms, which is why so many people go undiagnosed. The most common symptoms are:

• Frequent urination
• Blurred vision
• Frequent infections
• Cuts/ bruises that are slow to heal
• Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet
• Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections

Although it is certainly a debilitating disease, the good news about diabetes is that the earlier you are diagnosed, the better the chances of keeping your health under control. Catching the symptoms early will allow you to become educated on how best to care for yourself and maintain as much normalcy in your life as possible.

Diagnosing Diabetes

Dr. Watson and many other dentists in the Jackson area are embracing relationships with primary care physicians in an effort to provide the best care possible for their patients. This comprehensive care reaches across conditions such as sleep apnea, migraine headaches, heart disease and now includes diabetes.

The first sign of diabetes that Dr. Watson will look for in your mouth is gum disease. Studies have also now shown that comparing the number of missing teeth to the degree of periodontal disease is a very reliable indicator of whether or not you may have diabetes or pre-diabetes.

If we think you may have diabetes, we will recommend that you follow up with your primary care physician to confirm the diagnosis and come up with a plan of action for you.

Diabetes and Gum Disease

One of the most common oral symptoms of diabetes is periodontal (gum) disease, which leads many diabetics to lose their teeth in alarming rates. Diabetes decreases your ability to fight off infection, and increases the time it takes to recover once infected, causing gum disease to occur in diabetics in much higher rates than the average population.

While many people who have gum disease are not diabetics, a large percentage of diabetics have gum disease. Regardless of whether or not you are diagnosed with diabetes, it is important to control your gum disease for the sake of your overall health.

The Next Step

If you already know that you have diabetes, it is very important to tell your hygienist at your next appointment. Along with gum disease, diabetics are also more at risk for tooth decay, salivary gland dysfunction, fungal infections, and taste impairment.

Diabetes is just one more reason to keep your regular check-ups. If Dr. Watson and the hygienists see you in frequent intervals, they will be able to track any changes in your mouth, including those that indicate diabetes.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about diabetes or gum disease. And don’t forget to follow Jackson Center for Smiles on Facebook for all of the latest dental information for you and your family!

I’m not going to stop eating candy!

This post is not to tell you to stop eating candy altogether, but rather to educate you on what it does to your teeth and help you choose the right kinds. Halloween is the largest candy-buying season of the year in America, with consumers spending an estimated $2.5 billion last Halloween. If you haven’t bought yours yet, maybe you can make a more informed decision this year.

Every October dental professionals across the country seek to promote the importance of dental hygiene and the connection between a healthy, balanced diet and good oral health. There are several preventative measures that can be taken to ensure this Halloween season will help minimize the risk of tooth decay or damage.

Frequently eating chocolates, candy, and other sweets can create an ideal environment for decay-causing bacteria, which contributes to toothaches, sensitivity, and cavities.  This also leads to plaque, a sticky substance made of bacteria that thrive on sugars and carbohydrates and produce harmful acid that attack your teeth. This attack by bacterial acid, lasting 20 minutes or more, can lead to a loss of tooth mineral and, eventually, to cavities, the American Dental Association explains.

What candy should I eat?

Candy that is sticky or hard tends to remain in the mouth for a longer period of time and can be more harmful than softer candy, like chocolate, which washes away easier with saliva. Choosing treats that are sugar free is one way to help reduce the amount of harmful bacteria your mouth is fighting. Hard, sticky candy can also wreak havoc on your dental work, including orthodontics, bridges, and crowns, and you should always exercise caution in those cases.

If you have any questions about candy or any other dental hygiene issue, always feel free to call us or send us an email. And don’t forget to follow Jackson Center for Smiles on Facebook (Click the button on the right to find our page)!

The biggest thing to remember is that any brushing is better than no brushing, so don’t be discouraged if you are making some mistakes. If you still have questions, try checking out our oral hygiene page, or always feel free to contact us!

1) Not Brushing for Long Enough

Do you know how long you’re really supposed to brush? Two minutes, twice a day, says the American Dental Hygienists Association. Try timing yourself tonight and see how you measure up. Chances are, you aren’t brushing for long enough, as the majority of Americans aren’t. Brushing for longer can be a simple way to have a better oral hygiene routine.

2) Brushing Too Hard

Many people think that if they just brush hard enough, then they don’t have to brush their teeth for very long. This simply isn’t the case. In fact, brushing your teeth too hard will actually damage the enamel, and cause much more harm than good. A great way to keep from brushing too hard is to get an electronic toothbrush. If this isn’t an option, just make sure to get the softest toothbrush available and try to take it easy on your teeth.

3) Concentrating on the Tooth Surface

Without even realizing it, a lot of people concentrate their brushing power on the surface of the tooth. If you think about it, this doesn’t make much sense, because food particles aren’t very likely to get stuck on the front of your tooth. Food and bacteria get stuck around the edges and in the corners of your teeth, especially against the gums. The best technique is to concentrate your brushing power (gently) on the gum line each time you brush.

4) Skipping Teeth

It seems like common sense, but you need to brush all of your teeth! An old dentist’s saying goes, “Only brush the teeth you want to keep,” and we’ll just assume you want to keep all of them. The most frequent mistake is accidently skipping over teeth as you flip your brush around. If you’re right handed, this probably means the teeth in the front right corner of your mouth. Just remember to brush a little bit further than you think you have to before flipping the toothbrush, so that you are overlapping in each direction.

5) Thinking Brushing Will Kill All Bacteria

Although it would be nice if brushing was all we had to do to maintain the health of our mouths, this simply isn’t the case. In addition to a proper brushing technique, it is just as important to use floss and mouthwash as well. Finally don’t forget to keep your twice-yearly hygiene exams, because there are places that only we can clean, and problems that only we can diagnose. If you are due for an oral hygiene appointment, call Jackson Center for Smiles today and we will fit you in!