Fighting Bad Breath

Along with keeping oral care for a nice smile, it is also important for keeping fresh breath. If you deal with frequent bad breath, keep reading for some tips! Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics of Orland Park, IL wants all of their patients to practice good oral hygiene.

Bad breath is caused from bacteria in your mouth. There are certain kinds of bacteria that cause odor and the foods we eat can contribute to them. Foul-smelling breath can also be worsened by a dry mouth, as bacteria thrive in dry mouth conditions.

In order to keep bacteria at bay and your breath fresh, make sure to keep a clean mouth and stay hydrated. Brushing two or three times per day and flossing once per day will keep plaque and debris away. When brushing, make sure to hit all the surfaces of your mouth, especially your tongue. The tongue has hair-like taste buds where bacteria love to hide. Keep hydrated by getting in your daily water recommendation every day. It’s a good idea to mark a water bottle with times of the day so you get even hydration.

Avoid drinks that dry out the mouth like alcohol and caffeine, especially if you have an event you want fresh breath for, like if you will be sharing an elevator, a car, or have a date. If you do need a boost of caffeine, try green tea. It still has caffeine, but it hydrates you and has properties that fight bad breath bacteria!

To have fresh breath and keep it, oral hygiene is very important! To schedule an appointment at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics of Orland Park, IL, call our office at (708) 444-8341 or visit our website, www.drcynthiawong.com. 

Shopping for the Correct Toothpaste

When stepping foot into the dental health aisle at the drugstore, our staff at The Oyster Bay Family Dentist understands that the selections of toothpaste can be overwhelming. Should you go for tartar control, fluoride, sensitive, or whitening toothpaste? How do you decide? When it comes to choosing the toothpaste that is best for you, it’s important to consider your unique oral health needs. The best way to discover what those are is by scheduling an oral exam with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL. In the meantime, here are some options to consider while browsing:

• Anti-cavity: This type of toothpaste contains fluoride. Fluoride plays an active role in preventing decay, and it actively strengthens tooth enamel.


•  Anti-gingivitis: If you spit blood in the sink, this is an early sign of gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Antigingivitis toothpaste helps reduce oral bacteria and can be very effective at stopping gingivitis in its tracks.


• Desensitizing: If you’ve ever bit into an ice cream cone and felt a sharp pain in your tooth’s nerve, this type of toothpaste will provide relief by blocking the tooth’s pain signal to the nerve.


• Tartar-control: This toothpaste does exact what it says, however, the best way to remove tartar is by scheduling a professional dental cleaning with one of our doctors.


• Whitening: This toothpaste contains chemicals that are able to help maintain the natural color of your teeth.

If you have questions about oral hygiene or oral hygiene products, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visitwww.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Dental Benefits of Xylitol

Does the amount of sugar you consume on a daily basis have you worried about the status of your tooth’s enamel? If so, Dr. Cynthia Wong recommends that you switch to sugar-free products that contain xylitol. Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol that helps prevent cavities. It is equal in sweetness and volume to sugar and can be consumed through chewing gum, candies, and dental products.

Xylitol is found most commonly in chewing gum and mints but is also found naturally in many fruits and vegetables, including corn, raspberries, and plums. Unlike sucrose (regular table sugar), the main culprit associated with tooth decay, xylitol is not broken down by the most prominent decay-causing bacteria to produce acid. In fact, xylitol also prevents bacteria from sticking to the teeth. Because the bacteria in the mouth that are causing cavities are unable to digest xylitol, their growth is greatly reduced. The result is a healthy smile that you can be proud of.

To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visitwww.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Avoiding Cavities While Wearing Braces

Wearing braces unfortunately means that there are more places for bacteria to hide. This is why it is important to keep good oral hygiene, especially while wearing braces. At Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, we want to advise our patients about proper oral care while wearing braces to avoid unwelcome cavities.

Cavities happen when bacteria sit on a tooth long enough for the enamel to start decaying. Sugar is a huge cavity-causer; therefore, your first tip is to avoid consuming sugary foods and drinks all day. It is okay to have a sugary snack or drink once in a while, but making it a staple of your diet is a bad idea for both your teeth and your health. If you do choose to have some candy or a pop with lunch, be sure to rinse your mouth afterward and brush your teeth when you can.

The most important rule of keeping cavity-free teeth is brushing and flossing. Make sure you are brushing two to three times per day, including after meals, and flossing once per day. It will help to have braces-friendly dental supplies on hand to make the job easier.

Straight teeth have many health benefits for the mouth; however, if poor oral care is taken, it can lead to some nasty cavities. Take our tips for good care! To learn more about Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics here in Orland Park, IL, call our office at (708) 444-8341 or visit our website, www.drcynthiawong.com.