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You know what they say, “if someone offers you a mint, take it!”

It’s one thing to subject the world to the after effects of one onion and garlicky meal, but chronic bad breath needs to be dealt with. Bad breath, also called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. If you’re concerned you may be suffering from it, talk to Dr. Bob Maley and team. We can help identify the cause and, if it’s due to an oral condition, develop a treatment plan to treat it.

There are many reasons for bad breath:
• If you don't brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath, not to mention tooth decay and gingivitis.
• Bad breath can be caused by dry mouth, which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor.
• Tobacco products cause bad breath. If you use tobacco, ask us for tips on kicking the habit.
• Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. If this is the case, we may refer you to your family doctor or a specialist to determine the cause.

The good news is there are many ways to help eliminate bad breath from your life.

Maintaining good oral health is essential to reducing bad breath, so schedule regular dental visits with Dr. Bob Maley for a professional cleaning and checkup. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque, and don’t forget to brush your tongue, too!

Fluoride is a compound that contains fluorine, a natural element. Using small amounts of fluoride on a regular basis can help prevent tooth decay. Fluoride inhibits loss of minerals from tooth enamel and encourages remineralization (strengthening areas that are weakened and beginning to develop cavities).

Fluoride also affects bacteria that cause cavities, discouraging acid attacks that break down the tooth. Risk for decay is reduced even more when fluoride is combined with a healthy diet and good oral hygiene. Using fluoride for the prevention and control of decay has been proven over the past 70 years to be both safe and effective.

Fluoride can be found in any toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Approval, as well as in drinking water across the United States. To ensure you’re getting the appropriate amount of fluoride, having a professionally applied fluoride treatment during your next checkup is possible if you are concerned you are not getting adequate amounts at home.

Contact Dr. Bob Maley and his team if you have questions or find us on Facebook!

Every day we see patients--kids and adults--who for whatever reason experience intense anxiety over coming to the dentist, sometimes to the point they risk their health rather than seek the treatment they need.

Dr. Bob Maley specializes in helping these patients using a very simple process that works virtually every time.

"I slow things down, explain exactly what's going on and put the patient in charge, " he explains. "If you raise your hand, I stop. Some patients just need to take a breather before we proceed. Others just feel more confident knowing if it hurts, I'll stop and readjust. We have headphones with music, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), which helps you relax, whatever it takes to help you overcome this very real fear one step at a time."

"I don't believe most people need or want to be put unconscious to go to the dentist. By talking together and making a plan, we can change a patient's experience of dentistry, and that makes every visit a little easier. Each time we're together, we strengthen the relationship which increases trust. Building trust is the essential part of overcoming fear."

If you've been putting off going to the dentist, give us a call at 651-224-0001. We can schedule some time to talk about your concerns and make a plan of how to proceed. Your smile and health are too important to ignore.

Visiting Dr. Bob Maley regularly will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most commonly diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Maley would like to take this opportunity to underscore the importance of visiting the dentist routinely to check on the health of teeth and gums and screen for health issues such as oral cancer.

As a dentist, Dr. Maley is specifically trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Screening for oral cancer is a regular part of our routine oral exam. Please let us know if you have any questions about your oral health during your next appointment. Take care of your teeth!