Welcome to Premier Smiles, where you are given outstanding dental care with compassion and kindness.
We take your concerns seriously by respectfully listening to you. Patients participate in making decisions that affect their smiles, so they receive customized care
suited to their individual needs.
Premier Smiles serves the greater area of Charlotte and surrounding communities from our practice located in Ashley Park. If you aim to maintain oral health,
restore teeth from damage, or enhance mouths with cosmetic treatments, Premier Smiles makes sure your smile is healthy and appealing.
At Premier Smiles, our friendliness and warmth enable us to build relationships with family members of all ages. This also provides us with valuable insights into
changes patients undergo in their oral health over time. Understanding the unique needs of each patient is a privilege we highly value.
We are a dental practice devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile using conservative, state-of-the-art procedures that will result in
beautiful, long lasting smiles!
A:
Bad breath (halitosis) can be an unpleasant and embarrassing condition. Many of us may not realize that we have bad breath, but everyone has it
from time to time, especially in the morning.
There are various causes that attribute to bad breath, but in healthy people, the major source is microbial deposits on the tongue. Some studies have
shown that simply brushing the tongue reduced bad breath by as much as 70 percent.
What causes bad breath?
Morning time – Saliva flow almost stops during sleep, reducing its cleaning power and allowing bacteria to grow, which results in bad breath.
Certain foods – Garlic, onions, etc. Foods containing odor-causing compounds enter the blood stream; they are transferred to the lungs, where they
are exhaled.
Poor oral hygiene habits – Food particles remaining in the mouth promote bacterial growth.
Periodontal (gum) disease – Colonies of bacteria and food debris residing under inflamed gums.
Dental cavities and improperly fitted dental appliances – May also contribute to bad breath.
Dry mouth (Xerostomia) – May be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous mouth breathing.
Tobacco products – Dry the mouth, causing bad breath.
Dieting – Certain chemicals called ketones are released in the breath as the body burns fat.
Dehydration, hunger, and missed meals – Drinking water and chewing food increases saliva flow and washes bacteria away.
Certain medical conditions and illnesses – Diabetes, liver and kidney problems, chronic sinus infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia are several
conditions that may contribute to bad breath.
Keeping a record of what you eat may help identify the cause of bad breath. Also, review your current medications, recent surgeries, or illnesses with
your dentist.
What can I do to prevent bad breath?
Practice good oral hygiene – Brush at least twice a day with an ADA approved fluoride toothpaste and toothbrush. Floss daily to remove food debris
and plaque from in between the teeth and under the gumline. Brush or use a tongue scraper to clean the tongue and reach the back areas. Replace
your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months. If you wear dentures or removable bridges, clean them thoroughly and place them back in your mouth in the
morning.
See your dentist regularly – Get a check-up and cleaning at least twice a year. If you have or have had periodontal disease, your dentist will
recommend
more frequent visits.
Stop smoking/chewing tobacco – Ask your dentist what they recommend to help break the habit.
Drink water frequently – Water will help keep your mouth moist and wash away bacteria.
Use mouthwash/rinses – Some over-the-counter products only provide a temporary solution to mask unpleasant mouth odor. Ask your dentist about
antiseptic rinses that not only alleviate bad breath but also kill the germs that cause the problem.
In most cases, your dentist can treat the cause of bad breath. If it is determined that your mouth is healthy and bad breath remains persistent, your
dentist may refer you to your physician to determine the cause of the odor and an appropriate treatment plan.