Why is morning breath so bad? What causes it? And why the morning? And how come nobody ever has &ldquo;afternoon breath&rdquo;? Let&rsquo;s answer those questions here today.&nbsp;

To start, &ldquo;morning breath&rdquo; is really just plain old bad breath, called halitosis. Halitosis is a common problem that has a variety of causes,&nbsp;from diet to lifestyle to oral health issues to chronic&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/ear-nose-throat-health/article/ways-treat-sinus-infection">medical conditions</a>&nbsp;in certain people.&nbsp;While not everyone has an issue with chronic halitosis, almost all of us have some type of morning breath. That&rsquo;s what makes it so interesting.&nbsp;

I can hear you now: &ldquo;OK, Dr. Connelly, morning breath is just plain old halitosis. But why the morning?&rdquo;&nbsp;

To answer that question, we have to first go to one of the common causes of halitosis&mdash;dry mouth. When your mouth is dry, bacteria have a field day. Your saliva washes away and controls bacteria, so when it&rsquo;s not there,&nbsp;bacteria thrive. And what do those bacteria do when left to themselves? Well, imagine schoolchildren without the teacher or principal&mdash;they&rsquo;ll cause all kinds of mischief. They munch on compounds, proteins, amino acids and leftover foodstuffs in your mouth and teeth, and produce volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) which, well, stink.&nbsp;

To get a bit more specific for&nbsp;you&nbsp;chemistry people, the VSCs responsible are believed to be hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide. These VSCs are generally produced through the bacterial metabolism of sulfur amino acids like cysteine and methionine.&nbsp;

OK, chemistry class is over&mdash;the bottom line is, bacteria crunch and munch away in a dry mouth, and the result is bad breath. So that brings us back to what causes morning breath. Since saliva production is markedly reduced while we sleep, those previously mentioned bacteria thrive and do their thing, resulting in morning breath.&nbsp;

Yes, it really is that simple&mdash;morning breath generally comes from dry mouth, which causes bad breath.&nbsp;

Now to the question I often get asked: How can I prevent morning breath? Well, there&rsquo;s really&nbsp;no&nbsp;outright, foolproof prevention. Your body doesn&rsquo;t produce saliva when you sleep, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/sleep-health/slideshow/what-happens-body-enough-sleep">you need to sleep</a>, so the breeding ground will always be there. That said, there are a few things you can do to get rid of morning breath.&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Brush and floss right before you go to sleep. This will clean out your mouth and get rid of any food particles. This gives those pesky bacteria less &ldquo;food&rdquo; to munch on.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Hydrate before going to sleep.&nbsp;Drink some water. No, it&rsquo;s not saliva, but it&rsquo;ll help a little. If you get up during the night, again, drink some water. It can&rsquo;t hurt.&nbsp;</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/alcohol-and-health/article/how-much-wine-is-too-much-wine">Limit alcohol intake</a>.&nbsp;Alcohol is drying.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Don&rsquo;t smoke. I know most people don&rsquo;t nowadays, but it&rsquo;s still worth mentioning.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

And for goodness sakes, no onions on the 2 a.m. home fries!&nbsp;

I realize some of these are pretty obvious, but they will all help&nbsp;to prevent that&nbsp;dreaded morning breath.&nbsp;

Medically reviewed in September 2019. Updated in March 2021.&nbsp;

Why Is Morning Breath So Bad?

A walk by the shelves of toothpaste at your local drugstore shows that having whiter, healthier teeth is a 21st-century obsession. And ironically, even though these days you can choose from thousands of products to polish, cleanse, and protect your teeth -- most of you are not all that great at avoiding decay and <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/periodontal-diseases/what-is-periodontal-disease" target="_blank">periodontal disease</a>. Here are five statistics and tips you can use to improve your <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/dental-oral-health-teeth" target="_blank">dental care</a>.

Stat #1: The average American uses a toothbrush for 9 months before tossing it. 
Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every two months. But 91% of you wait far longer. &nbsp;

Tooth tip: Spring for a new brush as soon as bristles start wearing out. New bristles remove at least three times more plaque than older toothbrushes with weak bristles that fail to sweep away plaque at the gumline. And if you use an electric toothbrush, opt for a solid-headed one; new research shows that hollow-headed brushes have up to 3,000 times more bacteria residue than solid ones.

Stat #2: 85% of men and 65% of women don&rsquo;t floss daily. Don&rsquo;t only use dental floss for quick touch-ups before a date, a job interview or your next dental appointment. Daily flossing helps break up colonies of below-the-gumline bacteria before they can cause periodontal disease, which is a gum infection that can lead to tooth and bone loss and is associated with heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Tooth tip: Can&rsquo;t get the hang of winding floss around your fingers and wiggling it down between your teeth? Try one of the floss-holding tools available in drugstores.

Stat #3: Risk of heart disease increases by 70% if you don&rsquo;t brush twice a day and floss once. &nbsp;Gum disease boosts levels of body-wide inflammation, which raises your risk for heart disease and <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/type-2-diabetes/health-guide/diabetes-smart-tips-guide/diabetes-dental-health-teeth-and-gums" target="_blank">diabetes</a>. It&rsquo;s also associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, thinking and memory problems, obesity, cancer and even depression.&nbsp;

Tooth Tip: If you&rsquo;re unsure about the best brushing style (back and forth, around in circles, up and down&hellip;), you&rsquo;re not alone. A recent survey found that official advice about the best way to brush is all over the map. We say, just make sure you brush for two minutes each time, and reach all your teeth from all sides -- front, back and chewing surfaces.&nbsp;

Stat #4:&nbsp;36% of Americans didn&rsquo;t see a dentist last year. We know more than 100 million Americans have no dental insurance. But did you know that keeping up with dentist visits could save you money by helping you avoid serious gum disease that may need extensive treatment and can contribute to a wide range of other health problems? &nbsp;Regular visits to the dentist reduce risk for heart attack, stroke, chest pain and congestive heart failure.

Tooth tip: Dental schools often offer low-cost care; your local or county health department may have information about other affordable options, too.

Stat #5: It only takes soda, sports drinks or even juice 30 seconds to damage tooth enamel.&nbsp; In a recent Australian study, dental experts found that high-acid drinks etch the surface of teeth almost immediately.

Tooth tip: For stronger teeth, sip water or herbal tea instead of soda or sports drinks. Instead of juice, munch on whole fruit. You can also ease gum inflammation with a healthy diet, regular exercise and a daily DHA omega-3 supplement.&nbsp; Try taking 2,000mg a day for three months. Plus, if approved by your doctor, take a daily 81-162mg aspirin with &frac12; glass of warm water before and after.

Medically reviewed in August 2019.

Dental Dos and Don'ts

Your mouth is full of germs. Many belong there, but some, like plaque, can be harmful. This sticky bacteria forms on your teeth shortly after you eat, producing acids that can cause decay and toxins that can lead to gum disease, which you definitely want to avoid. A recent study found that men with advanced gum disease had four times greater risk for heart troubles and stroke than men with healthy teeth and gums.

The good news is that you can take steps to stop plaque and other oral invaders. Start with these three.

1. Take two 
How long does it take you to brush your teeth? Try timing yourself. For most people, it takes about half a minute, which just isn&#39;t long enough. In fact, how much time you spend cleaning your teeth is just as important as how often you do it. Dentists generally recommend brushing for 3 to 4 minutes, but 2 minutes will do the trick. Break it into four 30-second sections: top fronts; top backs; bottom fronts; and bottom backs. Hint: Electric toothbrushes can help extend brushing sessions because they run for a set amount of time.

2. Get stuck in a rut 
Brushing your teeth every day is automatic for most people. Flossing should be, too. When you do floss, it&#39;s best to stick with a regular pattern, always starting and ending at the same point. That way, you&#39;ll know you&#39;ve hit all your teeth. Gently guide the floss between your teeth, moving it up and down against each tooth, removing any plaque and debris. Hint: If you&#39;re all thumbs and have trouble manipulating floss, consider using a floss holder.

<ul>
	<li>Find out how flossing can help you avoid cardiovascular trouble down the road. <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/heart-disease/article/healthy-teeth-healthy-heart">Read Healthy Teeth, Healthy Heart</a>.</li>
</ul>

3. Obey your thirst 
Your body&#39;s best defense against cavities is saliva. It dilutes a variety of substances that could harm your teeth, so keep the salivary juices flowing by drinking plenty of water. Try adding a little lemon juice for extra protection. And skip the soda and sugary beverages. These are doubly destructive for your teeth because the acidity destroys the protective enamel -- even sugar-free sodas -- and the sugar promotes decay. Hint: Chewing gum also helps stimulate salivation. Opting for brands that contain the artificial sweetener xylitol will curb bacteria growth even more.

Medically reviewed in July 2019.

3 Steps to Healthier Teeth and Gums

A trip to the dentist isn&rsquo;t complete without being scolded for not flossing every day. And even though you know you should, it doesn&rsquo;t always make it into your nighttime routine, or many others, for that matter. According to the American Dental Association, only four out of 10 Americans floss daily, and 20% don&rsquo;t floss at all.

We talked with orthodontist and <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/static/advisory-board" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Sharecare Advisory Board</a> member <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/doctor/dr-dante-gonzales" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Dante Gonzales, DMD</a>, to learn why it&rsquo;s important to floss, what happens if you don&rsquo;t and how to make it a part of your daily routine.

Why floss? 
Flossing removes food trapped between the teeth so it doesn&rsquo;t turn into plaque, something that brushing can&rsquo;t do alone. Plaque releases harmful acids that attack your tooth enamel.

&ldquo;When we don&rsquo;t floss, the plaque stays between the teeth and in the crevices around the teeth and continues to grow and release those acids that can cause tooth decay, cavities and gum disease,&rdquo; says Dr. Gonzales.

In addition, flossing keeps the gums from becoming inflamed, which in turn, prevents gingivitis, an early form of <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/periodontal-diseases/gum-disease-causes" style="line-height: 1.6em;">gum disease</a>.

How to floss 
The biggest mistake people make when it comes to flossing is not flossing enough, says Gonzales. Flossing may seem like a pain, but it takes less than five minutes a day to do.

You can floss before or after you brush your teeth, but be sure you&rsquo;re flossing correctly. &ldquo;Wrap the floss around the tooth and drag the floss deep into the crevices around your teeth,&rdquo; says Gonzales. Don&rsquo;t forget to go from one side of your mouth to another, so you don&rsquo;t miss areas.

If it&rsquo;s painful, that means you&rsquo;re not doing it consistently. The more you floss, the less painful and uncomfortable it will become.

What type of floss is right? 
If you&rsquo;re overwhelmed by all the options, don&rsquo;t be -- any type of dental floss is fine. &ldquo;The best floss is the floss that you like to use,&rdquo; says Gonzales. &ldquo;There are basically two types of floss -- waxed and non-waxed. Studies show that there is no difference in the ability to remove plaque and prevent decay and gingivitis in the two.&rdquo;

If you&rsquo;re not a fan of traditional dental floss, other types of flossing devices are available and approved by the American Dental Association, such as water flossers and between the teeth wood plaque removers.

&ldquo;Flossing is still more effective than water flossing, although everything helps,&rdquo; says Gonzales.

If you have braces or permanent retainers, you may need to use <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/healthy-oral-hygiene/alternatives-to-flossing" style="line-height: 1.6em;">floss threaders</a> to get underneath the contraption. Your dentist or orthodontist can show you how to use them. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Set aside the time 
The best time to floss is before bed, says Gonzales. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s always best to go to bed with the cleanest teeth possible,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;When you sleep, your saliva glands aren&rsquo;t as active, which leaves your mouth drier. The drier your mouth, the higher the bacterial levels, and the higher the bacterial levels, the higher the acid levels.&rdquo;

Here are some tips that may help you remember to floss daily: &nbsp;&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Set your floss by your toothbrush</li>
	<li>Set a reminder in your phone</li>
	<li>Place a sticky note on your mirror</li>
</ul>

Follow the <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/group/worst-case-scenario">Worst Case Scenario</a> series for answers to more health questions!

Medically reviewed in August 2019.

Worst Case Scenario … I Didn’t Floss

If you&#39;re always looking for an excuse to cancel your dentist appointment for fear of another <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/dental-oral-health-teeth/article/tooth-problems-dental-filling-options">dental filling</a>, radiation from dental x-rays might be another good excuse. Although dental x-rays are generally safe, nobody needs extra radiation. You and your dentist can reduce your (and your kids&#39;) radiation exposure several ways. At your next dental checkup, ask these three questions:

<ol>
	<li>Do you use high-speed film? You want your dentist to use faster E- or F-speed film for conventional dental x-rays. Older, slower D-speed film delivers about 50% more radiation, though it&#39;s still widely used. (Digital imaging is even better, but it&#39;s not common yet.) Always ask for a lead apron with a thyroid shield or collar. The thyroid gland is extremely sensitive to radiation, especially in kids.</li>
	<li>When do you take 3-D scans? While a 3-D scan -- called a dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) -- shows terrific cross-sectional images of your teeth and jaw, the radiation dose can be four to 67 times higher than conventional x-rays. Two major dental groups recommend CBCT only when regular x-rays won&#39;t provide enough information, such as before an implant. Experts disagree about using it for planning orthodontia, so discuss it with your dentist.</li>
	<li>Is this x-ray &quot;just routine&quot;? It shouldn&#39;t be. You need x-rays mainly when tooth cavity risk is high, a tooth aches, after a mouth injury, or when certain procedures are necessary. To reduce your radiation exposure, encourage the sharing of x-rays between your dentist and a specialist. Better yet, make them available online in an electronic medical record so any authorized doctor can access it.</li>
</ol>

Medically reviewed in June 2019.

Are Dental X-Rays a Health Risk?

Dental emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere. Here&rsquo;s how to handle four of the most common mishaps you may confront.&nbsp;

Emergency: Chipped or cracked tooth&nbsp; 
Start by rinsing out your mouth with warm water. Use a cold compress to reduce any swelling in the mouth. You can take over-the-counter pain medication, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/drug-safety/article/how-much-ibuprofen-too-much">ibuprofen</a>&nbsp;or acetaminophen, if your personal health conditions allow it.&nbsp;

What to do about a chipped tooth:&nbsp;If the tooth is chipped, find the piece that has chipped off, if possible. Put it in a plastic bag with a few drops of water or wrap it in wet gauze to keep it moist. See a dentist immediately to repair the tooth. If it is a small chip, it may not be possible to find the piece or reattach it.&nbsp;

What to do about a cracked tooth: If the tooth is cracked,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/managing-your-health-care/article/choosing-a-dentist">visit a dentist</a>&nbsp;as soon as possible. Avoid chewing on anything hard or sticky. If it feels painful to eat food, breathe through your mouth or drink cold fluid, try biting on clean, moistened gauze. However, do not use a topical oral pain medication or put aspirin on the affected area.&nbsp;

Emergency: Painful toothache&nbsp; 
Rinse your mouth with warm water. Use floss to gently try to remove debris that may be stuck between your teeth. Never poke your toothache with anything sharp or place aspirin directly on the painful area. If the pain continues or gets worse, or you have a fever, call your dentist right away&mdash;this could be a sign of a serious infection.&nbsp;

Emergency: Total tooth knock-out&nbsp; 
Losing a tooth can be a traumatic experience, for either an adult or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/dental-oral-health-teeth/article/childrens-dental-care-timeline">child</a>. Here&#39;s what to do if a permanent tooth is knocked out: The first step is to call a dentist for an immediate appointment. It&rsquo;s necessary to act as quickly as possible, often within 30 minutes, if you want to save the tooth.&nbsp;

Never touch the root of the tooth&mdash;only handle it by the crown, the top part of the tooth you can usually see. If the tooth is dirty, gently wash with water only. Do not dry or wrap the tooth. Instead, you can try to reposition the tooth back into its socket. Hold the tooth at the crown and gently place it back into the socket. If this is not an option, try keeping the tooth between your cheek and gums. If it takes longer than anticipated to see a dentist, keep the tooth moist by placing it in milk.&nbsp;

If a child&rsquo;s baby tooth is knocked out, just keep the tooth moist in milk. See a dentist as soon as possible to determine if the tooth can be replaced.&nbsp;

Emergency: Damaged braces&nbsp; 
For a loose or broken braces bracket, use orthodontic wax to hold it in place. If the bracket has fallen off completely, do not throw it away. Keep it and notify your orthodontist of the issue so you can set up an appointment as soon as possible.&nbsp;

If a wire from braces is dislodged or poking your mouth, use orthodontic wax to prevent discomfort and hold in place until you can see the orthodontist. If necessary, you may have to carefully move the wire with tweezers or clip with sterile nail clippers, as close as possible to your teeth, before covering the rough edge with wax.&nbsp;

If you try this method, don&rsquo;t touch any teeth or gums with the nail clippers. Securely hold the wire being clipped with your other hand to prevent accidentally swallowing it. Tie 12 inches of floss to the nail clippers for easy retrieval if they&rsquo;re accidentally dropped into your mouth.&nbsp;

When you shouldn&rsquo;t wait for treatment&nbsp; 
It&rsquo;s important to remember that delaying treatment of a dental emergency can cause serious complications, so you may need to find a dentist with emergency hours close to your location.&nbsp;

For dental emergencies, it&rsquo;s usually better to find a dentist to treat you quickly. While most emergency rooms or urgent care centers can provide temporary pain relief, they are often not equipped to treat dental issues. Plus, a trip to the ER or urgent care could be costly and time-consuming.&nbsp;

If you have any doubts on whether or not the situation is a true emergency&mdash;or if you experience any of the following symptoms&mdash;call 911 or get to the nearest ER:&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Trouble breathing, even if due to swelling&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Heavy bleeding&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Severe pain&nbsp;</li>
	<li>High fever that medicine doesn&rsquo;t reduce&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Trauma to the face, such as cuts inside or around the mouth or a possible broken jaw&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Before you depart&nbsp; 
If you&rsquo;re leaving for an extended vacation or traveling outside of the country, it&rsquo;s a good idea to see your dentist for any lingering issues before leaving. This is especially important if there is a language barrier at your destination or if you will be in a remote area. Be proactive to prevent some of these problems before they happen.&nbsp;

Medically reviewed in July 2019. Updated in March 2021.&nbsp;

How to Deal with 4 Common Types of Dental Emergencies

If the cooler fall air has you reaching for your lip balm, flip it over and look at the label.

You might want to ditch it if you see this in the ingredient list: phenols. Why? These compounds actually strip the top layer off your lips, according to RealAge skin expert Dr. Amy Wechsler.

Peel Appeal? 
Phenols are included in some lip balms (Blistex, for one) to help remove very dry, chapped skin off the surface of lips. But if you&#39;re just trying to keep lips moist, the phenols can backfire by removing your lips&#39; natural protective layer. That may also explain why some people get addicted to them, Wechsler writes in her new book, The Mind-Beauty Connection -- the stripping effect can leave lips feeling raw, so you reach for more balm.

Careful Lip Care 
To break this vicious lip-balm cycle, Wechsler recommends opting for a good moisturizing lip balm instead. One of her personal favorites is pure, simple Vaseline petroleum jelly. (Use it at night, since it offers no sun protection.) If you need to slough a bit of dry skin from your lips, just brush them very gently with a soft, wet toothbrush.

Medically reviewed in August 2019.

Chapped Lips? Avoid This . . .

Last night, the tacos smothered in onions were great. But this morning, your breath could fell a sumo wrestler.

What to do? When your breath has turned toxic because of smelly foods -- usually garlic, onions, or curry, but fish and cheese can do a number, too -- you need an air freshener for your mouth. And you need it often: every 30 to 60 minutes until the odorous offender has cleared out of your bloodstream, which can sometimes take up to 24 hours. Because brushing constantly is impossible, try countering breath-busting foods with what&#39;s likely to be handiest: other foods.

1. <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/health-value-of-foods/the-health-benefit-eating-lemons">Lemons</a>. Suck on a lemon wedge, or nibble on the rind&mdash;easy to do in restaurants, where there&#39;s often a citrus garnish; if not, you can order sparkling water with lemon. For other times, lemon-flavored hard candies work just as well, and they&#39;re totally portable.

2. Parsley and other green garnishes. When your favorite garlic-laden pasta dish or onion-topped burger arrives with a few sprigs of parsley on the side, consider it a hint, not just a colorful trim. Chewing on the sprigs releases parsley&#39;s pleasant, breath-freshening oils. Garnishes of fresh basil and rosemary work, too.

3. <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/cooking-and-health/what-ways-which-serve-apples">Apples</a> and other crisp, fresh foods (firm pears, carrots, jicama). They&#39;re high in fiber, and all that chewing bumps up saliva production&mdash;the combo acts like a scrubbing rinse for your mouth. Sweet.

4. Crunchy spices. For a more exotic solution, pick up some anise, cardamom, coriander, and fennel seeds, available in the spice aisle of most grocery stores. Mix equal parts in a small covered bowl, and keep it on the dining room table next to the salt and pepper. Chewing on a few seeds will release enough oil to sweeten after-dinner curry or coffee breath. And your mouth will taste amazing.

5. Mint sprigs or cinnamon sticks. Either of these deliciously potent flavors will squelch the sulfurous scent of onion and garlic. Plus, an essential oil in cinnamon kills a nasty type of oral bacteria, discouraging it from setting up house in your mouth. Cinnamon or mint gum is just as effective. If you pick a gum sweetened with xylitol, it will freshen breath and help reduce cavities -- smart, if you&#39;re a gum lover. Bonus: Regular oral care can make your RealAge as much as 6.4 years younger.

6. Berries and yogurt. If you can&#39;t get through most days without indulging in foods that are less than breath-friendly, eat for prevention, which is even better than a cure. Consuming half a cup of plain, sugar-free yogurt twice a day can lower mouth levels of hydrogen sulfide (yes, that rotten egg smell). Berries (and melons, oranges, and other fruits high in vitamin C) also deter stinky mouth bacteria. Start and end each day with a cup of fruit topped with a big dollop of yogurt and you might never have to worry about bad breath again.

Medically reviewed in July 2019.

6 Foods That Fix Bad Breath

Eat your way to a healthy smile with these smart diet tips.

Best and Worst Foods for Your Teeth

They keep your teeth clean, your breath fresh and your mouth healthy, but some everyday oral hygiene products can be harmful when misused. While their benefits outweigh their risks, it&rsquo;s important to take extra caution with these items, especially if there are children in your household. Here are three products that might be in your medicine cabinet&mdash;and what you need to know about them to prevent accidental poisoning.

Toothpaste 
Most toothpaste contains fluoride, a mineral that helps strengthen teeth and stave off cavities. Swallowed unintentionally in small amounts&mdash;such as by a preschooler learning to brush their teeth&mdash;fluoride is typically fairly benign. But when ingested in larger amounts, it can trigger an upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. Very rarely, it may lead to more serious problems.

If you see your child intentionally eating toothpaste or catch them with a half-empty tube, dial <a href="https://www.poison.org/" target="_blank">Poison Control</a> right away at 1-800-222-1222. They&rsquo;ll assess the situation and provide further instructions. They may also recommend giving your child a calcium-rich snack to counter the effects of the fluoride, like milk, yogurt or a cheese stick.

To prevent future accidents, store toothpaste where children can&rsquo;t see or reach it, like on a high closet shelf or in a drawer with a safety latch. Reinforce proper brushing skills using the recommended amount of toothpaste and show kids how to rinse and spit without swallowing.

Mouthwash 
In addition to brushing and flossing, rinsing with mouthwash can help some people maintain healthy teeth and gums. However, as many nonprescription dental mouthwashes contain ethanol&mdash;better known as alcohol&mdash;they can pose a threat to children. Kids should not ingest <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/alcohol-and-health/article/what-happens-body-drink">alcohol</a>, and drinking too much may cause alcohol poisoning.&nbsp;

Unless your dentist advises otherwise, the American Dental Association recommends that children under the age of 6 not use mouthwash, since swallowing it is a significant health risk. Kids between the ages of 6 and 12 may opt for a product without alcohol, though they should be supervised by a grownup to ensure proper use. Adults should take care to follow label directions and stash all mouthwash where kids can&rsquo;t get to it.

If you suspect your child may have been drinking mouthwash, look for signs of intoxication, like staggering, babbling or appearing sleepy. Vomiting, a slowed heart rate and passing out are also indications of a serious problem. Call Poison Control immediately and seek medical attention if you see any of these symptoms.

Denture adhesive creams 
Though health problems related to denture creams are exceedingly rare, some older adhesive brands contain zinc, which can be toxic if consumed in very large quantities. If you or a loved one experience nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, cramps, diarrhea, a headache or neurological issues&mdash;like tingling or numbness in your hands and feet&mdash;after using or possibly ingesting denture cream, call your healthcare provider. They can assess whether your symptoms are related to excess zinc or, more likely, to a separate medical issue.

To avoid the possibility of a problem:

<ul>
	<li>Make sure your dentures are properly fitted; adhesive creams aren&rsquo;t typically necessary if they are.</li>
	<li>If you do use a cream, take care to follow directions closely and limit yourself to the recommended amount. If the adhesive drips off the denture and into your mouth, it&rsquo;s probably too much.</li>
	<li>Pace yourself. It should take seven or eight weeks to go through a 2.4-ounce tube of adhesive.</li>
	<li>Replace your older, out-of-date products with newer, zinc-free options.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Finally, always store tubes of cream away from children.

Read Before You Brush—These Dental Products May Pose a Poisoning Risk

Tooth decay is the number one chronic childhood illness in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But your risk of cavities doesn&#39;t end in childhood. Adults can also develop tooth decay, particularly if you have receding gums or if you have old fillings that develop cracks and crevices where new cavities can form.&nbsp;

Why do cavities occur? What&#39;s the best way to prevent&nbsp;cavities? Why is it important to treat them? For the answers to these and other important questions about tooth decay, we asked several oral health experts from around the U.S.&nbsp;

What causes cavities? &nbsp; 
&quot;It&rsquo;s pretty simple,&quot; says Jonathan B. Levine, DMD, an associate professor at the NYU School of Dentistry. &quot;What&rsquo;s unhealthy for your body is also unhealthy for your mouth.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;

When you eat foods that are high in sugar&mdash;as well as starchy foods that get broken down into sugar&mdash;the bacteria in your mouth can change those sugars into acids that slowly eat away at your enamel, causing a hole in your tooth. The reason&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/dental-oral-health-teeth/article/childrens-dental-care-timeline">children are more susceptible to cavities</a>&nbsp;is because their tooth enamel is more porous than an adult&#39;s tooth enamel. While this means diet plays a role, don&#39;t forget that daily brushing and flossing is the most important way to reduce plaque and prevent cavities.&nbsp;

How can you prevent cavities and tooth decay? &nbsp; 
&quot;The foods you eat and the way you clean your teeth are the two most important factors influencing whether or not you have cavities,&quot; says Mark S. Wolff, DDS, professor and chair of the Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care at New York University College of Dentistry.&nbsp;&nbsp;

So, the most important preventive steps you can take are to limit your intake of sugary foods and beverages, and brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride, in toothpastes and in water, is the single most tested method for preventing cavities, says Dr. Levine. For people who are prone to cavities, dentists can administer a fluoride treatment in the office, or apply thin plastic sealants to the chewing surfaces of molars.&nbsp;

What are the symptoms of cavities?  
In their early stages, cavities don&#39;t cause any symptoms. Which is why it&#39;s important to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/managing-your-health-care/article/choosing-a-dentist">see a dentist regularly</a>&mdash;ideally, every six months&mdash;so he or she can check for tiny white spots on your teeth, which are the first sign of tooth decay.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The most common symptom that does occur is tooth pain, especially when you&#39;re eating hot or cold foods. Another symptom to pay attention to is dry mouth, says Dr. Wolff. &quot;Saliva helps prevent tooth decay because it helps to&nbsp;remineralize&nbsp;teeth, so if you develop dry mouth as a side effect of taking a medication, you&#39;re at an elevated risk of tooth decay.&quot;&nbsp;

Why is it important to treat cavities? &nbsp; 
If a cavity is in the very early stages, you may be able to reverse the decay and&nbsp;remineralize&nbsp;your tooth with fluoride, but most cavities need to be filled. Having your tooth drilled and filled is probably way down on your list of favorite activities. But left untreated, cavities can lead to more serious problems, including dental infections and even tooth loss.&nbsp;

What&#39;s on the horizon for tooth decay and cavities? &nbsp; 
Researchers at the UCLA School of Dentistry are working on an anti-cavity mouthwash that better targets cavity-causing bacteria and lasts a lot longer than conventional mouthwashes. In a small clinical trial, participants who rinsed their mouths just once with the new mouthwash were able to&nbsp;almost completely eliminate the specific cavity-causing bacteria&nbsp;from their mouths, and the results lasted for four days. Conventional mouthwashes only eliminate bacteria for about 12 hours.&nbsp;

Medically reviewed in June 2018. Updated in March 2021.&nbsp;

Must-Know Facts About What Causes Cavities and Tooth Decay

Find out the worst foods for tooth enamel loss and acid erosion in teeth.

7 Worst Foods for Tooth Enamel Loss

A healthy trend has been gathering momentum: We&#39;re holding onto our teeth for longer than ever before&mdash;thanks to fluoride, better dental care, and just good old fashioned oral hygiene.

It&#39;s good news for your overall health, because holding onto your teeth helps you look and feel years younger than you are. Not only does it help guarantee trouble-free, pain-free munching on healthy goodies like nuts and fresh apples, but a full set of choppers can also keep your cheeks from sinking, slow the natural thinning of your upper lip, discourage extra-deep wrinkles around your mouth, and help keep your jawline firm and your bite stable.

<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/dental-oral-health-teeth/quizzes/dental-quiz">What does your smile say about your health?</a>

When trouble brews 
But, hey, few people get very far in life with all of their teeth in perfect shape. So if a little bit of decay creeps into your smile, see your dentist for repair options as soon as you can. Science has engineered myriad ways to restore and stabilize tooth structures so that your smile remains strong -- and natural looking&mdash;for many more years to come.

While you make your next appointment, brush up on some of the pros and cons of both the old and the new dental-restoration materials.

Plastic? Yes, plastic 
A plastic filling&mdash;also called a &quot;composite&quot; or &quot;white&quot; filling -- is a relatively new class of dental-restoration material. In its early forms, it was prone to breaking. But the material has been greatly improved in the last couple of decades. It&#39;s made of acrylic resin and fine glass particles and can be mixed to look pretty close to tooth color. Thus, dentists today use composite material much more often than the old standard&mdash;silver amalgam&mdash;because people want their restored teeth to look more natural. Also, even though health and environmental concerns about mercury in amalgam fillings have not yet been proved, some people opt for composite to avoid mercury&mdash;as do some dentists.

PROS

<ul>
	<li>Is tooth-colored and natural looking</li>
	<li>Is strong enough to fill small to midsize cavities</li>
	<li>Won&#39;t corrode</li>
	<li>Can adhesively bond to the tooth, adding strength</li>
	<li>Requires less removal of healthy tooth structure during the drilling phase, in most cases</li>
</ul>

CONS

<ul>
	<li>Isn&#39;t likely to be durable enough to fill large cavities</li>
	<li>Is vulnerable to coffee and tea stains</li>
	<li>Wears down faster than silvery amalgam fillings</li>
	<li>Costs more and takes longer to place than amalgam fillings</li>
</ul>

Glass -- well, partly glass 
A combination of glass and acrylic&mdash;known as glass ionomer fillings&mdash;is most often used for delicate filling work, like in baby teeth or adult cavities located under the gumline, where the root joins the tooth. Or between teeth, if they&#39;re not load-bearing. Glass ionomer is very good for these purposes because it can be layered thinly. But glass ionomer fillings can&#39;t stand up to the wear and tear experienced by chewing and load-bearing surfaces. And although the material is white, it&#39;s not as natural looking as composite fillings.

PROS

<ul>
	<li>Applies thinly enough to avoid removal of much healthy tooth structure</li>
	<li>Bonds chemically with the tooth to prevent further decay</li>
	<li>Releases tooth-strengthening fluoride for a long period of time because the raw materials of the filling contain the compound</li>
</ul>

CONS

<ul>
	<li>Is white, but not translucent, which can make it a no-go for teeth that are front and center</li>
	<li>Is not durable in teeth that bear the force of grinding and chewing</li>
	<li>Is not good for large fillings</li>
</ul>

Amalgam: The old standby 
You probably think of amalgam as a silver filling, but it&#39;s actually a mix of several metals that may include silver, copper, and tin and almost always includes mercury. Amalgam continues to fall out of favor among both dentists and patients for two reasons: For one, it&#39;s anything but natural looking. The silver color darkens over time and clearly stands out against natural teeth. For another, its mercury content has made it controversial. But it&#39;s still very strong and durable, outlasting newer materials.

PROS

<ul>
	<li>Is inexpensive and durable</li>
	<li>Is strong enough to withstand the forces of chewing</li>
	<li>Doesn&#39;t wear down opposing teeth</li>
</ul>

CONS

<ul>
	<li>Requires removal of some healthy tooth structure</li>
	<li>Corrodes and darkens over time</li>
	<li>Conducts heat and cold initially; some cold sensitivity may linger</li>
	<li>Requires special handling precautions by dentists because of the mercury content</li>
</ul>

Porcelain&mdash;yep, like your bathroom sink 
This glasslike material&mdash;also called a ceramic filling&mdash;isn&#39;t applied directly to your tooth or shaped by a dentist, like a traditional filling. Instead, the material is created in a lab, where it&#39;s custom formed into a toothlike or partial toothlike shape. It is later cemented into place by your dentist. A porcelain filling basically replaces or covers the tooth enamel that has worn off or been lost to decay. Because it&#39;s porcelain and shaped in a lab, it can be made to look very much like the natural tooth structure.

PROS

<ul>
	<li>Is tooth-colored and natural looking</li>
	<li>Tends to more accurately resemble a tooth&#39;s natural contours</li>
	<li>Is long-lasting&mdash;porcelain is tough stuff</li>
	<li>Is custom fitted and bonded to the tooth, so further decay is unlikely</li>
</ul>

CONS

<ul>
	<li>Is strong enough to wear down opposing teeth</li>
	<li>Is more expensive than composite</li>
	<li>Is bulky, so often requires removal of healthy tooth structure</li>
	<li>Takes two or three appointments, on average, to custom fit and cement into place</li>
</ul>

Gold&mdash;yes, It&#39;s very expensive 
Though most people would rather have a gold watch than a gold tooth, this precious element can be mixed with other metals to create a high-quality, custom-made filling that is cemented into place&mdash;much the same way that a porcelain filling is. A gold filling is sometimes also combined with porcelain crowns. Still, it&#39;s obviously not a natural-looking option. Gold does have one big thing going for it, though: It is extra durable.

PROS

<ul>
	<li>Is extremely strong</li>
	<li>Is gentle on opposing teeth</li>
	<li>Is tarnish resistant and doesn&#39;t corrode</li>
	<li>Doesn&#39;t let bacteria, food bits, or saliva seep through</li>
</ul>

CONS

<ul>
	<li>Is very obvious and hardly natural looking</li>
	<li>Is expensive; can cost up to 10 times more than amalgam</li>
	<li>Will corrode amalgam fillings when placed next to them</li>
	<li>Conducts heat and cold initially</li>
</ul>

A filling isn&#39;t forever 
As good as any filling material may be, eventually it will probably need replacing because of wear and tear, especially if you&#39;re a tooth grinder. But taking good care of your teeth could extend the life of your fillings.

Sometimes, though, decay will progress to the point where a filling just won&#39;t cut it. That&#39;s when your dentist may suggest a tooth-shaped cap called a crown. It&#39;s a great problem solver for broken, chipped, fragile, or badly decayed teeth. It&#39;s also a good option during tooth replacement or for teeth that have had root-canal therapy.

Whatever the case, when you lose a tooth or have a severely compromised tooth structure, it&#39;s best to fill that space properly with some kind of dental restoration to help keep your bite stable. Because losing just one or two teeth can add years to your RealAge and put the rest of your smile in danger.

Medically reviewed in June 2019.

Brush Up On the Latest Dental-Filling Options

&ldquo;A chronic infection leads to chronic inflammation and an immune system that&rsquo;s in overdrive all the time,&rdquo; says Nancy Newhouse, DDS, MS, a board-certified periodontist, clinical assistant professor at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, and President of the American Academy of Periodontists. Eventually, your immune system will break down the bone and connective tissue that holds your teeth in place&mdash;and your teeth may become loose and have to be removed.

Are You At Risk for Gum Disease? 
While poor oral hygiene is a prime cause of gum disease, there are other risk factors, too, including smoking and diabetes, and a genetic tendency toward gum disease. Interestingly, there is also a link between gum disease and heart disease, pancreatic cancer, erectile dysfunction and osteoporosis. The reason? The bacteria associated with gum disease can travel into your bloodstream, affecting other parts of your body. Hormonal changes can also trigger gingivitis, as can medications that reduce the flow of saliva, which protects against bacteria.

Watch Out for &quot;Pink In Your Sink&quot; 
The first sign of gum trouble is red, swollen gums or gums that bleed after brushing&mdash;what Dr. Newhouse calls, &ldquo;pink in the sink.&rdquo; This stage, gingivitis, is reversible with improved dental care. That means brushing twice a day with a soft toothbrush, positioned at a 45-degree angle to dislodge bacteria from your teeth and gum line. Flossing is also important, but be sure to hold the floss in a &ldquo;C&rdquo; shape, so it curves around your tooth, and rub it up and down to scrape the plaque off the spaces between the teeth. &ldquo;You need to create friction to remove plague, not just plop the floss inside to dislodge food particles,&rdquo; says Dr. Newhouse. An interdental brush or proxy brush also works well.

Regular professional cleanings and exams are vital too. Each visit to your dentist should last about an hour and include a gum checkup. During your gum exam, your dentist or a dental hygienist will use a tiny ruler to measure the size of the pocket between your gum and each tooth, in increments of 1 to 12 millimeters. &ldquo;A two or a three is healthy, and a four that doesn&rsquo;t bleed is probably OK,&rdquo; says Dr. Newhouse. &ldquo;Much beyond that and the pocket is so deep that you can&rsquo;t get under the gum line to remove the bacteria, and the soft tissue and bony attachment to the teeth will be eroded.&rdquo;

Medically reviewed in December 2018.

What Is Gum Disease?

When you were a kid, you probably dreaded a dental visit. But then a change occurred. And a few short years ago, you couldn&#39;t stop dreaming about what your dentist could do for you: everything from tooth whitening and invisible braces to other get-gorgeous tweaks. Now he&#39;s lucky if he gets an afterthought -- especially when it comes to your regular cleanings. See, new research has found that when the economy is bad and you&#39;re unemployed, you take it in the teeth, putting dental care at the bottom of your to-do list (even if you have dental insurance!).

And that can drag down the rest of your body (not to mention <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/sex-and-relationships/prevent-stress-from-spoiling-sex">your love life).</a> Brushing and flossing daily and getting professional tooth cleaning regularly all greatly reduce the risk of gum disease. And gum disease has been linked to a host of other health problems, from heart attacks to erectile dysfunction.

Here&#39;s why: Gum-invading bacteria may trigger an immune response that promotes inflammation and arterial hardening throughout your whole body, which restricts blood flow. Not an ideal situation.

A professional cleaning once or twice a year is ideal (and if you have insurance, make it work for you!). But you can&#39;t just leave flossing to the pros (they know if you lie about it, by the way). Flossing has the ability to decrease inflammation in your gums and subsequently in your arteries, so it will help you keep your heart pumping and your sex life thriving. Oh, and it keeps your teeth intact, too. So don&#39;t follow the trend. Pick up the phone and dial your dentist.

Medically reviewed in May 2019.

How the Economy Hurts Your Teeth

You brush, you floss, you rinse, you spit -- all for the sake of your pearly whites. But do you eat yogurt?

Might want to consider it. Research shows that yogurt eaters are less likely to suffer from gum disease and tooth loss.

A Little Healthy Bacteria 
It only took a couple of ounces of yogurt daily for people&#39;s mouths to benefit. Researchers speculate that there&#39;s something about the healthy bacteria in yogurt that helps protect teeth and gums. They may help balance out the bad bacteria in your mouth, just the way they do in your gut.

3 Dental Do&#39;s for Healthier Teeth 
Some additional off-the-beaten-path ways to protect your choppers . . .

<ul>
	<li>Skip sodas -- the diet kind, too.</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/diabetes-oral-health/can-cranberry-juice-help-oral">Drink this tart juice</a> -- it can help thwart decay.</li>
	<li>Consider chewing gum with vitamin C in it. <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/dental-oral-health-teeth/article/does-your-gum-have-vitamin-c">Here&#39;s how it might help</a>.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/heart-disease/article/healthy-teeth-healthy-heart">Find out why having healthy teeth can mean having a healthy heart, too</a>.

Medically reviewed in September 2019.

Yogurt for a Beautiful Smile

From changing colors to curious bumps, your tongue gives important health clues.

Oral Health