Bad Breath: Causes and Treatment

Bad breath, medically called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Millions of bacteria live in the mouth, particularly on the back of the tongue. In many people, they are the primary causes of bad breath. The mouth’s warm, moist conditions are ideal for the growth of these bacteria. In between professional cleanings from Top Choice Dental, you can treat bad breath by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and using a tongue scraper to eliminate odor causing bacteria on the tongue.

Bad breath can be an embarrassing problem and can be caused by a variety of things. Diet, medication, poor oral hygiene, and diseases or conditions such as diabetes, GERD, lactose intolerance and gum disease are just a few. Bad breath odors vary, depending on the source or the underlying cause. Some people worry about their breath even though they have little or no mouth odor, while others have bad breath and don’t know it. The treatment of bad breath depends on its cause. If you suspect you have bad breath, review your oral hygiene habits.

If you are concerned about the cause of your bad breath, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide, visit www.hoptowndental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Greg Fort at Top Choice Dental in Hopkinsville, KY, call 270-886-8585.

Are You Brushing Correctly?

To prevent cavities, you need to remove plaque, the transparent layer of bacteria that coats the teeth. The best way to do this is by brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once a day. Brushing also stimulates the gums, which helps to keep them healthy and prevent gum disease. It is one of the most important things that you can do to keep your teeth healthy for a lifetime. At Top Choice Dental we want to make sure you are brushing correctly, so utilize these tips the next time you take out that toothbrush.

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.


• Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.


• Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.


• To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

Remember that brushing your teeth isn’t the only part of a complete dental routine. Don’t forget to floss and visit us regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.

If you have questions about your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide, visit www.hoptowndental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Greg Fort at Top Choice Dental in Hopkinsville, KY, call 270-886-8585.

Proper Flossing Technique

Many people think that they only need to floss twice a year when they visit the dentist, or to remove food particles from their teeth on a daily basis. The main purpose of flossing isn’t just to remove food from your teeth. It’s to get rid of plaque. Busting out the floss every day prevents gum disease and tooth loss.  So if you want to keep your teeth forever, allow our staff at Top Choice Dental inform you how to floss correctly.

• Use 18 inches of floss. Wrap most of it around the middle finger of one hand, the rest around your other middle finger.

• Grasp the string tightly between your thumb and forefinger, and use a rubbing motion to guide it between teeth.

• When the floss reaches the gum line, form a C to follow the shape of the tooth.

• Hold the strand firmly against the tooth, and move it gently up and down.

• Repeat with the other tooth, and then repeat the entire process with the rest of your teeth.

• Use fresh sections of floss as you go.

If you have questions about your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide, visit www.hoptowndental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Greg Fort at Top Choice Dental in Hopkinsville, KY, call 270-886-8585.

Pregnancy Gingivitis

Pregnancy gingivitis is the swelling/inflammation of the gums that many pregnant women suffer from, especially early on in their pregnancy. If you already have gingivitis before getting pregnant, it will likely worsen during pregnancy if left untreated. To avoid this, Dr. Greg Fort recommends scheduling a routine dental exam either before your pregnancy or during to reduce or eliminate gingivitis symptoms.

The hormonal changes during pregnancy change the body’s natural response to dental plaque exaggerating the way gum tissues react to the bacteria in plaque, resulting in a higher chance of pregnant women getting gingivitis. If pregnant, you may also develop a benign nodule on your gums that bleeds when you brush. This relatively rare nodule is called a pregnancy tumor – but don’t worry, as scary as it sounds, it is harmless and usually painless. To avoid these issues, it is important for you to maintain good oral hygiene throughout your pregnancy. In addition to scheduling a routine exam, you should brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day and after each meal when possible.

If you are pregnant, please inform us when scheduling your next appointment. To learn more about the services we provide, visit www.hoptowndental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Greg Fort at Top Choice Dental in Hopkinsville, KY, call 270-886-8585.