How to get rid of your bad breath

There's an app for everything these days... even an app for figuring out why you have bad breath!? That's hard to believe... bad breath is usually a puzzle only a dentist can solve. 

Ridding yourself and those around of you of your bad breath starts with determining the real cause!

Dr. Ruchi has been interviewed about this topic a few times. Check out these articles:

1. Oprah Winfrey OWN 
2. Completely you: The guide to looking and feeling great

According to the American Dental Association, bad breath is usually caused by the following factors: 

• Food. What you eat affects the air you exhale, like garlic or onions. If you don't brush and floss daily, particles of food can remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating.
  
• Gum disease. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth can also be one of the warning signs of gum disease; which is caused by plaque.
  
• Dry mouth. This occurs when the flow of saliva decreases and can be caused by various medications, salivary gland problems or continuously breathing through the mouth. Without enough saliva, food particles are not cleaned away. If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may prescribe anartificial saliva, or suggest using sugarless candy or increase your fluid intake.
  
• Smoking and tobacco. In addition to staining teeth and being bad for overall health, tobacco can add to bad breath. Tobacco reduces your ability to taste foods and irritates gum tissues. Tobacco users are more likely to suffer from gum disease and are at greater risk for developing oral cancer. If you use tobacco, ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.
  
• Medical conditions. Some diseases have symptoms related to bad breath. Sinus or lung infections, bronchitis, diabetes, and some liver or kidney diseases may be associated with bad breath.

What does a cavity look like?

Usually a cavity is a dark spot on your tooth. Sometimes, a small cavity that is in between your teeth can only be seen in an x-ray.

The most important thing to note in the image below - is that what starts off as a small stain progresses into a large hole. Often this large hole can only be fixed by completing a root canal. But sometimes, if the cavity is too big, the only option we have is to take the tooth out.

Lesson: Visit us regularly so we can spot the early signs of cavities -- and hopefully help you prevent them all together.

Dr. Ruchi Reviews -- The Andy Cohen Diaries

Yes. We love to talk about TV shows in the office. We are both comforting by talking about something other than teeth and also talking about something we love!

While Dr Nijjar will talk about shows on the OWN network or ZeeTV, I will talk about everything from Scandal to Big Bang Theory to 60 minutes to allllll of the Real Housewives series. 

Which is why I was looking forward to reading this book. I love Andy Cohen and DVR "Watch What Happens Live" every night.

But this... This was too much Andy Cohen. Granted he warned me. In the very first chapter, he warns that the book may be mindless series of rants of name dropping -- my fan-goggles didn't allow me to understand. 

 When my kindle had only reached 20 percent (and I was hoping it was 80 percent) I knew it was time to listen -- it was time to move on to the next book. 

Not my cup of tea. But maybe it's just not the right time for me to read this. 

I will come back to this book probably. C-

^*^*^*Ruchi

The cavity equation

Wall Street journal interviews Dr.Ruchi

The Wall Street journal interviewed Dr. Ruchi last week. Take a look at the article in the newspaper today... Or online here: http://www.wsj.com/articles/do-teeth-stand-a-chance-against-halloween-1445889999?mod=e2tw

Teeth Before Dentists

Have you ever wondered how our distant ancestors managed to maintain healthy teeth and gums  before toothbrushes and dental floss were invented? 

According to recent research involving analysis of plaque (the sticky film that develops naturally on teeth) taken from 34 ancient skeletons, our ancestors’ teeth had more good bacteria than our own teeth have. 

As a result, the ancients’ teeth were better able to fend off bad bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. 

One reason for the healthier bacteria is that our ancestors didn’t eat processed foods. As time progressed and hunters and gatherers turned to farming, teeth took a turn for a worse. The advent of processed sugar and corn syrup has led to further decline of our teeth.

Did you know candy wasn't always a part of Halloween?

Along time ago, trick-or-treaters were given non candy treats such as homemade cookies, fruits and toys. 

History.com reports,

"For most American kids, it wouldn’t be Halloween without trick-or-treating for candy; however, that wasn’t always the case. When the custom of trick-or-treating started in the 1930s and early 1940s, children were given everything from homemade cookies and pieces of cake to fruit, nuts, coins and toys. In the 1950s, candy manufacturers began to get in on the act and promote their products for Halloween, and as trick-or-treating became more popular, candy was increasingly regarded as an affordable, convenient offering. It wasn’t until the 1970s, though, that wrapped, factory-made candy was viewed as the only acceptable thing to hand out to all the little ghosts and goblins that showed up on people’s doorsteps. A key reason for this was safety, as parents feared that real-life boogeymen might tamper with goodies that weren’t store-bought and sealed"

Gum disease linked to Stroke

Over the past few years, there has been increased awareness that periodontal (gum) disease is linked with other health conditions. Much of the problem has to do with the fact that gum disease is fueled by bacteria that cause inflammation. 

Patients may therefore want to note the finding of a study recently published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, which involved examination of over 500,000 individuals with untreated periodontal disease and over 200,000 without gum problems over a ten-year period. This study linked periodontal disease to an increased risk of stroke. Those study participants who had regular dental cleanings and/or extensive treatment for advanced gum disease (periodontitis) had the lowest risk of stroke.

Dr. Ruchi Reviews - Mrs. Funnybones by Twinkle Khanna

We've been talking about this book in the office because both of us (Dr.Nijjar and Dr.Ruchi) have been reading Mrs. Funnybones for our book club.

Here is Dr. Ruchi's Book Review... leave a comment below. Let us know what you think.

"Written by the daughter of Bollywood superstars, wife of a Bollywood superstar, and probably a mother of future superstars, this book is short and sweet, witty and full of smart-allicky jokes, and all-around fun. It has moments of silliness mixed in with poignant reflections on life. She shines as a mother. Doesn't take herself too seriously. And twinkles in the crazy, glamorous life she lives --yet makes me think that she is in the end... just one of us. "

Chewing ice can be dangerous

So many of our patients admit that they chew ice. 

Though it seems innocent... it can actually be very dangerous.

Be careful, continuous chewing on ice can wear and tear on the enamel of your teeth. 

Are you brushing correctly?

Did you know that two minutes twice a day can save you from bad breath, cavities, and gum disease?

That's right. IF you brush correctly twice a day, you can prevent bacteria from causing all pain, cavities, and infections in your mouth.

Let's learn how to brush from Dr. Ruchi on this video from the American Dental Association

• 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.

First official Dr. Ruchi Book Review - The Girl on the Train

I've written book reviews on my facebook page for years... and whenever you come into the office, we probably discuss the latest book I'm reading. Dr. Nijjar and I are in a book club and we LOVE to talk about the books we've read -- especially the ones that inspire us.

So here goes my first official book review on our office blog. Enjoy, comment, and hope you "like".

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Another book that just makes you want to keep reading. Each chapter skips between a different character's perspective. This always slows me down at first. But once you learn the characters --this book has you hooked! We have mystery, complicated characters (none of which I liked btw!), and a plot twist at the end --that we never saw coming. This author is amazing. The way she intricately weaves in the details of the story. I wonder... what was her writing process? Straight through? Or did she write the beginning, middle, and the end and then go back to fill in the details. The pieces to this puzzle came together so beautifully. 

Bleeding gums linked to medical problems, not just gum disease

The mouth is a window into the rest of your body! 

Studies show that there are links between heart disease and poor dental health, diabetes and poor dental health, and even strokes and poor dental health.

Visit Dr. Nijjar and Dr. Ruchi regularly to make sure your dental health is not placing you at risk for other medical issues.

If all you did is brush...

Did you know you miss 35 % of the tooth if you don't floss.

Dr. Nijjar and Dr. Ruchi recommend that you floss once a day, every day.

Not doing so, can lead to periodontal disease.

As the disease progresses, which I can do quickly, teeth become loose, painful, and ugly!

Avoid this by brushing twice a day, flossing one today, eating a nutritious diet, and seeing Dr. Nijjar and Dr. Ruchi regularly. 

All Smiles on Sunday with Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis

We spent the last week or so watching the U.S. Open. Earlier tonight, Novak Djokovic won the men's final. Yesterday, Flavia Pennetta took home the trophy in the women's final.

We enjoyed both matches, but this morning's women's doubles final really got us going!

Martina Hingis (who now has 20 grand slam titles) and Sania Mirza. What a joy to watch. Yes, their form was beautiful. Their shots were calculated. Their energy never let up. But it was their non-stop smiles that kept us engrossed.

Congratulations to these two. And thanks for making the hearts of two dentists in Fremont dance at almost every point -- with your simple, genuine, heart-warming smiles!

Smiles are what we live for. And smiles are what we live to create - every day. 

School has started, and so have sports!

Did you know you can decrease your child's chances of being injured with one simple step? Wearing a mouthguard has been proven to reduce the chance of injury.

They key is ensuring your child has the right mouthguard. The best guard is custom made for your child by your dentist.

Check out Dr. Ruchi's quote about mouthguards on colgate.com

Ask Dr.Nijjar and Dr. Ruchi about the right mouthguard today. 

If the Huffington Post Says It, It Must Be Right

As a dentist, I feel passionate about preventative medicine. Brushing your teeth twice a day is so important. Please do your future self a favor and brush your teeth to prevent future oral and general health problems, and check out my quote in the Huffington Post - Ruchi Sahota, DDS 

Welcome To Our Blog

We're excited to announce the official launch of our Dr. Nijjar blog.

We'll be posting helpful dental tips, news from the dental industry, news from our practice, and more about the latest in dentistry.

We built our practice on the notion that we're there for our patients when they need us and we want our online presence to be a reflection of that principle. We hope this blog provides an extra level of service to our current and future patients.

If you would like to stay up to date on the latest from Dr. Nijjar , simply click the RSS “Subscribe to feed” link located on our website and subscribe. Our subscribers will be updated when we make a new blog post.

Here's to your best oral health ever!