Mouthwashes Can CAUSE Bad Breath

Listerine has been a popular mouthwash for decades. In 1914, it was the first mouthwash to be sold over-the-counter. It was named after Dr. Joseph Lister, who was one of the first to use disinfectants in rooms and instruments during surgery. Many of the patients I have met and treated continue to use Listerine despite the burning sensation they receive from the contents of the wash (particularly its high alcohol percentage).

The unfortunate thing is that it is still questionable as to whether mouthwashes actually disinfect (i.e. kill bacteria). However, we do know that most dental diseases are caused by plaque. Our oral hygiene goals should be aimed towards removing the plaque. And based upon studies, brushing and flossing are still the most effective means of achieving a healthy mouth¹.

Mouthwashes do have a purpose though. They can aid in bringing oxygen into crevices that cannot be reached by brushing and flossing, which can definitely help heal gum inflammation/disease. With that said, it's important to take a second look at what's in your mouthwash, especially those with alcohol. Alcohol may help in killing bacteria, but it has a drying effect on the mouth which can promote bacteria growth and bad breath. That's right, your mouthwash may cause bad breath!

With that in mind, I am always promoting alcohol-free mouth washes to patients and their families (especially the ones with fluoride in it). Needless to say, I was very excited when Listerine came out with their new product: Listerine Zero. There are many other kinds of mouthwashes without alcohol; search for the one that's right for you.

"But...what about my bad breath?", you might ask. Well, studies have shown that mouthwashes that contain antibacterial agents such as chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride have the ability of reducing levels of bad-breath-causing bacteria on the tongue². But be careful with these rinses since they often cause staining on teeth that can only be removed with a dental office cleaning.

That's probably more than you'll ever want to know about mouthwashes, so I'll leave it at that. Remember to look for alcohol-free, fluoridated mouthwashes the next time you pick up some rinse. As always, please contact me or your dentist with any questions you might have.

Happy swishing,
Dr. Lynda Tran


¹ Haps, S., Slot, DE., Berchier, CE., Van der Weijden, GA.. The effect of cetylpyridinium chloride-containing mouth rinses as adjuncts to toothbrushing on plaque and parameters of gingival inflammation: a systematic review. Int J Dent Hyg. 2008 Nov; 6(4): 290-303.

² Kumar, S., Byrne, G.. Some evidence shows that certain mouthrinses can reduce halitosis. Journal of American Dental Association. 2010 Aug; 141:1008-1009.

Dental Diary -The Ultimate Tooth Widget

From the Academy of General Dentistry, Dental Diary is a useful desktop widget that brings dentistry to you. This awesome widget (which sits cozily in your taskbar - see above) allows you to set reminders for you and your family about upcoming dental appointments, personal reminders (e.g. games, meetings, etc.) and when to throw out your toothbrush (which we all too often forget to do).

In addition to the reminders, you have quick, at-your-finger-tips access to dental information to help answer any questions that you might have. Finally, on the upper left hand corner of the widget, you can click on a tooth that leads you to the Interactive "Life of a Tooth" Timeline. This timeline you an idea of what things you should be looking for and expecting at different stages of your (and your family's) life.

You can download the free widget here (also available for Mac). As always, please feel free to email me with any questions.

Have a great Tuesday,
Dr. Lynda Tran

Gravenstein Apple Fair - 100th Anniversary

This weekend Sebastopol will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Gravenstein Apple Fair! Gravenstein apples are one of my favorite treats. What a delicious way to celebrate Sonoma agriculture!

The fair will take place Saturday, August 14th (10am - 6pm) and Sunday, August 15th (10am - 5pm) at the Ragle Ranch Park. This is my first time at the fair, so I'm über excited. (Yes, I said "über" because one of the places the Gravenstein apple grows is in Germany.) As soon as I heard there'll be apple pie eating contests, sheep shearing, music, and funnel cake, I made sure to get tickets. If there's one thing you'll learn about me, it's that I love funnel cake.

So check it out and hope to see you there! Proceeds from ticket sales go to the Sonoma County Farm Trails Map & Guide and Farm Trails' promotional and educational programs.

An apple a day doesn't keep this doctor away,
Dr. Lynda Tran

Protect Your Choppers While Flexing Your "Guns"

Absolutely love my Brooks Addiction 9!

I write today's entry in hopes that individuals of all ages are looking to amplify their daily activities. With our expanding waistlines, it's imperative that we get movin'...literally. There are a multitude of activities that you can partake in and it all starts with turning away from your couch.

Personally, with a long incriminating family history of women developing osteoporosis, I am doing what I can to keep my bones healthy. Recently, I've got back into running and all it took was a pair of shoes. Start there and you'll see how addictive fresh air becomes.

But as you try new sports, make sure you keep your choppers in mind. Not all sports are dangerous to your teeth, but for the most part any sport that involves contact or collision with an object or person is a suspect for causing injuries to your teeth, jaws, and/or tissues. You know who the usual suspects are: football, basketball, biking, skateboarding, etc..

Beyond wearing a helmet and other protective gear when participating in high impact sports, remember to protect your choppers with a mouthguard. In particular, have a customized mouthguard that will fit perfectly to your upper teeth and will not dislodge as compared to generic mouthguards. These 'guards protect you from broken teeth and jaws, cutting your lips and bruising your cheeks, and even from concussions and neck injuries.

If you should experience an injury to your mouth/gums/lips/jaw, make sure you get medical attention ASAP. If you break or lose a tooth (often times teeth change color when they've been traumatized), contact your dentist immediately. Time is of the essence when it comes to teeth. The sooner that you seek dental care, the better your chances are to getting your tooth/teeth fixed.

So the next time you're in the dental chair, tell your dentist about your new activities and what you've been unto. Ask him/her for great tips on how you can protect your mouth, head, and neck while having fun.

See you on the "out"side,
Dr. Lynda Tran

National Fresh Breath Day - August 6th

Courtesy of JasonLove.com

Today's National Fresh Breath Day! Are you about excited as I am? In celebration of NFBD, we'll discuss what more than 80 million people are experiencing...bad breath. The more technical term is halitosis (hal-i-toh-sis), which mostly originates from our gums and tongue.

When it comes to determining what causes halitosis, anything goes! For many of us, bacteria, decaying food, and other debris cause bad breath. There are also medical reasons that lead to bad breath such as a medical infections, kidney problems, liver malfunction, xerostomia (dry mouth) and diabetes. But truly, anything can lead to this embarrassing condition such as stress, dieting, snoring, age, and hormone changes.

But it's not all from within, foods that we consume also influence the harshness of our breath. Spicy foods (onions and garlic) and coffee typically have their odorous effects for 72 hours after consumption. There have even been studies where garlic was rubbed in subjects' feet and then detected in their breath!

Since nearly anything can cause bad breath, how do we combat such a putrid opponent? Our number one weapon is our spit! Saliva washes away all the bacteria and food debris, leaving us a nice neutral mouth. However, when we're snoozing, the amount of saliva entering the mouth decreases which leads to the wonderful "morning mouth". Morning mouth is the result of our fasting while we sleep. It's important to note that for individuals who skip breakfast, bad breath will reappear even after brushing in the morning! So don't skip breakfast if you want fresh breath.

Other ways to combat halitosis are:

• Rule of 2's: Brush and floss twice a day, brush for two minutes, and visit your dentist at least two times a year.
• Remember to brush your tongue and cheeks as well. Consider buying a tongue scrapper to help remove remnants on your tongue. 
• Chewing sugar-free gum may also help control bad breath.
• If you wear dentures, retainer, or a removable partial, remember to always thoroughly clean it everyday before and after wearing. 
• With respect to mouthwashes, check with your dentist. Some washes only mask the smell and some are more superior than others. 

 I wish you all a wonderful Fresh Breath Day!

To fresh breath,
Dr. Lynda Tran

Colgate Wisp Infomercial

You might have seen this, but it's just so silly. *Wisps*

Check it out,
Dr. Lynda Tran