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Everyone knows that garlic and onions are the usual culprits for bad breath. However, you may be surprised to know what other foods may be causing your stinky breath. For some people, bad breath can be genetic, however, it could also be certain foods that may be a part of your daily routine that are to blame. Read on to find out about some bad breath causing foods from Dr. Joseph Porter at Porter Orthodontics!

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Your skin isn’t the only thing that deserves a spa day. Your teeth work incredibly hard day in and day out (think of how much gum, food, etc. you chew on a daily basis!). Luckily, there are tons of affordable products that are available to give your teeth a spa day as well. So go ahead and treat yourself! Read on to see which products from Dr. Joseph Porter at Porter Orthodontics can have your teeth living the life of luxury!

You can have a trip to the oral day spa with these products…

• At-Home Whitening – Our teeth come into contact with a lot of substances that will dull their pearly sparkle – just think of the morning cup of coffee or tea, any alcohol or smoking habit, etc. Whitening strips are an easy and affordable option that you can do at home to bring back those pearly whites!

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Pregnancy is an amazing thing. However, there are some important things to keep in mind during this time. While pregnancy does not automatically damage your teeth, pregnancy can lead to dental problems in some women, potentially resulting in gum disease and increased risk of tooth decay. Your increased hormones during pregnancy can affect your body’s response to plaque (the layer of germs on your teeth). Luckily, with proper hygiene at home and professional care from your dentist, your teeth should remain healthy throughout pregnancy. Keep reading from some advice about pregnancy and oral health from Dr. Joseph Porter at Porter Orthodontics.

Dental Disease & Baby Health

Dental disease can affect a developing baby. Research has found a link between gum disease in pregnant women and premature birth with low birth weight. However, appropriate dental treatment for the expectant mother may reduce the risk of premature birth.

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If you fear going to the dentist, don’t worry, you’re not alone! It is estimated that nearly seventy five percent of adults in the United States experience some amount of fear with regards to visiting a dentist. About five to ten percent of those people have a strong enough fear to be considered sufferers of dentophobia. Fortunately, there are many ways to cope with this fear and ease your dental experience! Keep reading for some advice about coping with dentophobia from Dr. Joseph Porter at Porter Orthodontics.

Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up – There is Nothing to Fear Here!

First, it is important to note that your dentist is not trying to be scary. They have no intentions to cause you any pain or discomfort. Their goal is to keep you and your teeth happy and healthy! Dentists also have to go through many years of schooling before they are allowed to practice dentistry. Thus, they are extremely qualified experts in their field. Additionally, your dentist doesn’t want your visit to be a traumatic or anxiety-inducing experience. If you simply communicate your feelings to them, they will do whatever they can to help make your visit better.

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Fortunately, canker sores are not often a serious issue, but they sure can be annoying! These small ulcers can pop up in your mouth and on the inside of your lips and take days to heal. However, they are quite easy to prevent, especially once you understand what triggers them! See below for more advice from Dr. Joseph Porter at Porter Orthodontics for how to prevent them.

Well, the unfortunate news is that braces can contribute to canker sores. This mainly happens in patients that are already prone to them. They may experience an increase in sores because your mouth is adjusting to a big change when beginning orthodontic treatment. Braces can irritate oral tissue, which leaves it vulnerable to little lesions such as canker sores.

Luckily, avoiding possible triggers and practicing good oral hygiene can help you to avoid or lessen the instances of these sores.

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Elastics, also known as rubber bands, are a very normal part of orthodontic treatment. However, we know that people sometimes find them to be a nuisance or difficult to adjust to wearing. It is important to know that your orthodontist has you wearing elastics because they are essential to the completion of the patient’s orthodontic treatment. The elastics are supposed to be worn approximately 20-22 hours a day and should only be removed to eat and then to brush and floss their teeth. Additionally, elastics should be changed out for new ones about three times a day. Keep reading for some advice from Dr. Joseph Porter at Porter Orthodontics about why elastics are important.

Elastics allow for the jaw and bite alignment to occur. But they are also the patient’s responsibility, and if the patient does not choose to wear them as directed, it may prolong treatment or affect the final result. Before leaving the office, the patient needs to make sure they understand where and when to wear their rubber bands.

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