Health Benefits Center


what could be the problem with my gastrointestional tract that could cause bad breath and body odor?

Posted on September 20, 2010

has good oral hygiene and wash every day with excellent soap. i have had a very bad case of bad breath and also a bad taste in mouth that wont go away. even after washing the body odor doesn't ease up some. they say that sometimes bad breath can come from a problem with the stomach what could this be. please help in that my social life is gone. a few mints and even chewing gum doesnt help. and also no dental problems either

Why do I have gingivitis?

Posted on September 20, 2010

When I was younger I never developed good oral hygiene routines and my family couldn't afford the dentist. After about 14 years of not going to the dentist or practicing good oral hygiene, I went and they told me I had gingivitis. At first, I slacked off, only brushing maybe 4 times a week, but after my last visit, I brush everyday, twice a day... and I still have gingivitis: my gums are red and white, swollen, and bleed when I brush. I don't understand, please help!

Is there a way to make the teeth's dentine strong?

Posted on September 10, 2010

My daughter, now in her mid-thirties, use to eat raw lemons and still likes very acid food. This has affected her teeth which are now brittle and starting to crack and split. She practices good oral hygiene and sees the dentist several times a year. Our dentist told her to stop eating acid food and warned her there could be problems as she got older.
Last week a piece of one of her front teeth broke off and needed to be filled. This could happen to other teeth.
How do we improve the health and strength of her teeth?

Swollen gum localized in one area – what could this be a symptom of?

Posted on September 8, 2010

The gum in between my first molar and second premolar (second and third teeth from the back on the top right) as well as the front gum above my second premolar (third tooth) are slightly swollen and at times a little painful. I don't think I have a gum abscess as I don't see or feel any bumps along the gum line. The pain is worst in the morning, right after I wake up. The tooth itself isn't in pain, just slightly sensitive but only when I bite down. I get the feeling that any pain in the tooth radiates from the gum. Not sensitive to hold/cold.

This went on for about a week then was fine for two days. Then the slight swelling/pain reappeared two days ago. I went to see the dentist, and she said there were no cavities or major problems with the gum. She felt the irritation was just plaque buildup and told me to continue brushing, flossing, using Listerine.

Should I be concerned that this could be more serious than just plaque? I just had my teeth cleaned a month and a half ago and have them cleaned every 6-7 mo. I also brush 2-3x/daily, floss daily and use mouthwash 2x/daily. I would think any buildup would not be that bad considering this...

Does this sound like something more serious - like an infection or abscess? I guess it might be nothing as the dentist said, but I am just concerned as the swelling/pain has lasted almost two weeks now, and I would think if it was just plaque and I was practicing good oral hygiene, the swelling/pain would be gone by now? Thanks

This morning my gums bled a little and want to treat–any advice?

Posted on August 22, 2010

EEEEK. I have always practiced good oral hygiene, seen the dentist regularly, etc, but this morning while brushing one area of my gums started bleeding. I rinsed with Listerine and cringed as I wondered if this is the start of peridontal disease or just a fluke. Any advice would be appreciated. I am 53 and in good health.
Thank you so much for the thoughtful answers.
All of the answers are great!

My orthodontist used a new "mouthpiece" to apply my brackets. They put the mouth piece on the bottom 6?

Posted on August 21, 2010

Orthodontist used new product/mouthpiece to apply brackets, then spent the better part of an hour picking the adhesive off from the insides of my bottom 6 teeth. A few weeks later-- they're horribly stained NOW(never were before) Not only did she scrape my teeth pretty badly, there are stains and I'm afraid if they try to get any more adhesive off, it will give me sensitive teeth and maybe make them weak. What should I tell them and is there anything I can demand of them? I don't want my teeth to be stained! I have good oral hygiene, I brush 2-3 times a day, floss every day, and follow my nightly brushing with a fluoride rinse. Help!