Pucker Up WithOUT Stinky Breath!

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, are you confident that your breath is kiss-ready? If not, Access Dental and Dentures has the tips for you to help freshen your breath and keep it smelling fresh long-term. We have the best dental clinics in southern Missouri and we're here to help! 

Get Rid of Stuck-On Food

Brushing your teeth twice a day is one of the most important things you can do to keep your oral health and teeth in good condition. Bad breath could mean you aren't brushing your teeth enough or as well as you should be. If bad breath is a problem for you, it could be a good idea to start brushing every time you eat a meal. This can help remove any food particles and germs that would otherwise grow in your mouth and cause bad breath.

Flossing each day is very important also in order to clean the hard-to-reach spaces in your mouth. Stuck food pieces may not always come out with daily brushing, and many toothbrushes can't even reach the space between your teeth. If food particles sit in between your teeth all day or night, they can start to smell due to bacterial growth and buildup. To reduce the chance of this happening, floss at least once a day! It could even be beneficial to run floss through your teeth after every meal.

Replace Your Toothbrush and/or Toothpaste

Your toothbrush may be the problem if you have consistently bad breath. As your toothbrush gets old and worn out, it can start to grow bacteria and become a source of bad odors itself. This is not something you want to be brushing all over your mouth. Gross! Your toothbrush should be replaced every three months. But, keep in mind, if you are a more aggressive brusher or if you buy brands that wear out more quickly, you may want to replace it more often. Check regularly to see if bristles have started thinning, losing color, or bending. That means it's time to replace it.

You also want to use a good toothpaste that is actually cleaning your teeth and protecting them from cavities. You may like the look or "flavor" of a particular toothpaste, but it's important to make sure whatever kind you're using has the active ingredient "fluoride" in it. If not, then it may be brushing away stains, but it definitely isn't protecting your teeth from decay. 

Clean the Rest of Your Mouth Too!

Your teeth are just a fraction of the surface area inside of your mouth. You might be regularly flossing and brushing your teeth, but if you aren't doing anything for your gums, cheeks, tongue, the roof of your mouth, and more... then you could be missing a lot of germs. 

Add these habits to your daily dental hygiene routine for a cleaner, fresher mouth: 

• Use a tongue-scraper to remove bacteria and dead cells from your tongue.
• Gently brush the roof of your mouth and your cheeks for the same purpose.
• Use a mouth wash to destroy any bacteria that could be hiding other places in your mouth and causing bad breath. 
• Carry breath fresheners with you for on-the-go fresh breath in case of a kissing emergency. 😉

Stay Hydrated!

Drinking water is not only helpful to your teeth because of the fluoride content, but it can also help flush out bacteria, food pieces, and bad smells. If you mouth is dry, it could be prone to bad breath. Saliva is an important factor in keeping your breath fresh and bacteria away. If you are dehydrated, the dryness in your mouth could be allowing bacteria to flourish. Ew!

Don't Skip the Dentist

You might be tempted to skip your dentist appointments. Maybe you think that appointments are inconvenient or that you take care of your teeth enough on your own. But you can't tell on your own if your enamel has become weak in some areas, making you more prone to cavities. You also can't tell if there is a more serious issue causing your bad breath without a check-up from a dentist. If you still suffer from bad breath even when you follow all the good habits we talked about, then there could be something else going on. Let Access Dental and Dentures help! We can take a look at your teeth and find out if there are any serious issues causing your bad breath. Call today to schedule your next appointment: 1-877-DENTIST

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Don't Put Up with Bad Breath!

Tired of smelling bad breath inside your mask?! Bad breath can come from more than just eating a strong smelling food like onions or garlic. In fact, bad breath can often signal a more serious underlying dental issue. Access Dental and Dentures can tell you - bad breath might mean you need to see your local dentist as soon as possible! Take a look at the rest of today's blog to learn what might be causing your bad breath and learn how to fix it.

Dry Mouth

Drinking water is not only helpful to your teeth because of the fluoride content, but it can also help flush out bacteria, food pieces, and bad smells. Saliva is also an important factor in keeping your breath fresh and bacteria away. If you are dehydrated, the dryness in your mouth could be allowing bacteria to flourish. Ew!

Stuck Food Particles

Brushing your teeth twice a day is one of the most important things you can do to keep your oral health and teeth in good condition. Bad breath could mean you aren't brushing your teeth enough or as well as you should be. If bad breath is a problem for you, it could be a good idea to start brushing every time you eat a meal. This can help remove any food particles and germs that would otherwise grow in your mouth and cause bad breath.

Flossing each day is very important also in order to clean the hard-to-reach spaces in your mouth. Stuck food pieces may not always come out with daily brushing, and many toothbrushes can't even reach the space between your teeth. If food particles sit in between your teeth all day or night, they can start to smell due to bacterial growth and buildup. To reduce the chance of this happening, floss at least once a day! It could even be beneficial to run floss through your teeth after every meal.

Plaque & Bacteria on Your Tongue

Every morning, scrape your tongue to remove any bacteria or other particles that may have accumulated on the surface. This can help decrease the bacteria, fungi, and dead cells that buildup and cause bad breath. Try to scrape the entire surface of your tongue to get the best results. There are several tools that you can use in order to do this. Or, you can even use a small spoon! Just be careful not to scrape your teeth.

Bad Toothbrush or Toothpaste

Your toothbrush may be the problem if you have consistently bad breath. As your toothbrush gets old and worn out, it can start to grow bacteria and become a source of bad odors itself. This is not something you want to be brushing all over your mouth. Gross! Your toothbrush should be replaced every three months. But, keep in mind, if you are a more aggressive brusher or if you buy brands that wear out more quickly, you may want to replace it more often. Check regularly to see if bristles have started thinning, losing color, or bending. That means it's time to replace.

You also want to use a good toothpaste that is actually cleaning your teeth and protecting them from cavities. You may like the look or "flavor" of a particular toothpaste, but it's important to make sure whatever kind you're using has the active ingredient "fluoride" in it. If not, then it may be brushing away stains, but it definitely isn't protecting your teeth from decay. 

Best Missouri Dentist

Don't suffer with bad breath. Let Access Dental and Dentures help! We can take a look at your teeth and find out if there are any serious issues causing your bad breath - or if it's just a case of an old toothbrush. Make sure you're using a good toothbrush and toothpaste, stay hydrated, clean your whole mouth, and visit your dentist regularly for a happy, healthy, great-smelling smile! 

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Help Prevent Bad Breath with These Tips!

If you suffer from bad breath, it's important to know that it could be more serious than just an annoying odor. Persistent bad breath could mean that your teeth are experiencing decay and that you are missing an important part of your dental hygiene routine. Never fear! Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in southern Missouri, and we are here to help you! Keep reading to learn more about how to help prevent bad breath.

Don't Use an Old Toothbrush

Your toothbrush may be the problem if you have consistently bad breath. As your toothbrush gets old and worn out, it can start to grow bacteria and become a source of bad odors itself. This is not something you want to be brushing all over your mouth. Gross! Your toothbrush should be replaced every three months. But, keep in mind, if you are a more aggressive brusher or if you buy brands that wear out more quickly, you may want to replace it more often. Check regularly to see if bristles have started thinning, losing color, or bending. That means it's time to replace.

Brush Regularly

Brushing your teeth twice a day is one of the most important things you can do to keep your oral health and teeth in good condition. Bad breath could mean you aren't brushing your teeth enough or as well as you should be. If bad breath is a problem for you, it could be a good idea to start brushing every time you eat a meal. This can help remove any food particles and germs that would otherwise grow in your mouth and cause bad breath.

Floss Every Day

Flossing each day is very important in order to clean the hard-to-reach spaces in your mouth. Stuck food pieces may not always come out with daily brushing, and many toothbrushes can't even reach the space between your teeth. If food particles sit in between your teeth all day or night, they can start to smell due to bacterial growth and buildup. To reduce the chance of this happening, floss at least once a day! It could even be beneficial to run floss through your teeth after every meal.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking water is not only helpful to your teeth because of the fluoride content, but it can also help flush out bacteria, food pieces, and bad smells. Saliva is also an important factor in keeping your breath fresh and bacteria away. If you are dehydrated, the dryness in your mouth could be allowing bacteria to flourish. Ew!

Clean Your Tongue

Every morning, scrape your tongue to remove any bacteria or other particles that may have accumulated on the surface. This can help decrease the bacteria, fungi, and dead cells that buildup and cause bad breath. Try to scrape the entire surface of your tongue to get the best results. There are several tools that you can use in order to do this. Or, you can even use a small spoon! Just be careful not to scrape your teeth.

Your Dental Health

To help prevent bad breath, be sure to replace your toothbrush, brush at least twice a day, floss regularly, scrape your tongue, and keep yourself well hydrated! If you have tried all of these things and still suffer from bad breath, then it's probably time to ask for help. At your next visit to the best dentist in southern MO, ask our friendly staff for suggestions. Access Dental can help you find the right solution for your bad breath. Give us a call!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

7 Easy Tips to Improve Bad Breath

At Access Dental & Dentures we are often asked if there are any solutions for bad breath. If you happen to be someone that frequently has bad breath, even after brushing, the tips below from our Southern Missouri dentists may help you fix that problem. A little extra TLC may be all that is needed.

Brush or Scrape Your Tongue
It's important for your overall oral health to brush your teeth at least twice a day, but you should also be using the toothbrush on your tongue. Bacteria and other particles can attach to your tongue and need more than just a drink of water to remove them. You can also find tongue scrapers at the drugstore that are made specifically for this task. If this tip doesn't help, you may need to increase your brushing routine to after every meal. 

Floss Daily
Flossing each day is vital to cleaning hard to reach spaces in your mouth. This will help to remove food particles and bacteria that hide in there. When that stuff sits in your mouth too long it can react with saliva and create a foul odor.

Add Mouthwash to Your Routine
Mouthwash is a quick and effective way to freshen your breath. While brushing and flossing can clean the surfaces of your teeth and in between, mouthwash can help to clean your entire mouth, reaching places those other tools cannot.

Replace Your Toothbrush
It could help to replace your toothbrush every few months. After a period of time, and especially if it does not have the chance to dry properly, a toothbrush may begin to fill up with germs and bacteria. Then the act of brushing isn't helping the way it should.

Drink Plenty of Water
Water is good for every part of your body. Keeping your mouth hydrated can help oral functions work the way they should. Even though swishing with water won't get rid of the bacteria and food particles in your mouth as well as brushing, it will aid the process and help to keep your breath fresh. 

Pay Attention to Foods You Eat
If the bad breath isn't present all of the time, it could be caused by specific foods you eat. Make note of what you've most recently eaten when you have bad breath and see if there is a pattern. Eating crispy, fresh fruits and vegetables can help to scrape other food particles off of your teeth and gums when you chew them. Chewing on sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless candy can stimulate saliva flow and help to wash away bacteria that cause bad breath.

Stop Smoking
Smoking or using other tobacco products could be causing your bad breath. Tobacco dries out your mouth and can leave an unpleasant odor behind, even after you have brushed your teeth. If you have been looking for another excuse to quit, this could be it.


Chronic bad breath could be a sign that there is a bigger problem, such as a cavity or other infection. If the tips above do not help, you should schedule an appointment at one of our dentist offices in Southern Missouri. The skilled and trustworthy team at Access Dental & Dentures will help you to freshen that breath and get your life back to normal.

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Connect with us on LinkedIn

Springfield Office          Rolla Office             Osage Beach Office

(417) 501-1048              (573) 426-5447          (573) 348-1466         

1701 West Sunshine        416 S. Bishop Ave.   4320 Osage Beach Pkwy

Springfield, MO 65807   Rolla, MO 65401      Osage Beach, MO. 65065

Mountain Grove Office              Aurora Office

(417) 926-1160                             (417) 308-3534

921-A N. Main                             1402 S. Elliott

Mountain Grove, MO 65711       Aurora, MO 65605

Top Tips to Improve Bad Breath

Did you about 25% to 30% of the population suffers from bad breath? A foul odor that emanates from the mouth can cause embarrassment and even frustration for many. Here at Access Dental and Dentures, we get asked if there are any solutions for bad breath. If you are one of these people who has noticed frequent bad breath, it's time to take action. Take a look at the points provided below, by the best dentist in southern MO, to learn how you can combat this issue.

1) Brush at Least Twice a Day

It's important for your overall oral health to brush your teeth twice a day. If you notice the appearance of bad breath, you may consider brushing after every meal. This can help remove any food particles and germs that may gather in your mouth, between meals. If twice a day isn't cutting it, consider increasing the frequency of your daily brushing.

2) Replace Your Toothbrush

If you suffer from bad breath, it may help to replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every few months. While a toothbrush is helpful to clean your tooth surface, it can also fill up with germs and bacteria. To reduce the chance of this bacteria from entering back into your mouth, change your toothbrush on a regular basis.

3) Floss Once a Day

Flossing each day is vital to cleaning hard to reach spaces in your mouth. It can also help to remove food particles and bacteria that hide in your mouth. This bacteria and food can sit in your mouth and react with your saliva, to create a foul odor. To reduce the chance of this, floss at least once a day!

4) Drink Plenty of Water

Along with helping with a number of health conditions, bad breath can be improved by drinking the right amount of water. Swish cool water around in your mouth in order to help freshen morning time bad breath. Keeping your mouth hydrated can help the oral functions to work properly.

5) Add Mouthwash to Your Routine

Mouthwash is a quick and effective way to freshen your breath. While brushing and flossing can clean your tooth surface and in between, mouthwash can help to clean your entire mouth. For a fresh feel to start the day (or anytime throughout), consider adding mouthwash to your daily oral care routine.

6) Scrape Your Tongue

Many times bad breath can be worse in the mornings. Each morning try to scrape your tongue to free any bacteria and other particles from the surface. This can help decrease the bacteria, fungi, and dead cells that cause bad odor in the mouth. Try to scrape off the entire surface of your tongue, for best results.

Now that you've hopefully learned a new technique to reduce the occurrence of bad breath, you're ready to make improvements. If you've tried a number of ways to cure your bad breath, it's time to ask for help. During your next dental visit in southern MO, ask our friendly staff for suggestions. We can help you find the right solution for your bad breath issue. Gain confidence in social situations with fresh breath!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Connect with us on LinkedIn
Follow us on Google+





Springfield Office          Rolla Office          Osage Beach Office      Mountain Grove Office
(417) 501-1048              (573) 426-5447        (573) 348-1466                       (417) 926-1160
1701 West Sunshine      416 S. Bishop Ave.  4320 Osage Beach Pkwy       921 N. Main St.

Springfield, MO 65807   Rolla, MO 65401     Osage Beach, MO. 65065       Mountain Grove

7 EASY Tips to Improve Bad Breath

Did you know halitosis is a another name for bad breath? A foul odor that emanates from the mouth can cause embarrassment and even frustration for many. While it's not a major emergency, about 25% - 30% of  the population suffer from this problem. Here at Access Dental and Dentures, we get asked if there are any solutions for bad breath. If you are one of these people who have noticed frequent bad breath, it's time to take action. Take a look at the points provided below, by the best dentist in southern MO, to learn how you can combat this issue.

1) Brush at Least Twice a Day

It's important for your overall oral health to brush your teeth twice a day. If you notice the appearance of bad breath, you may consider brushing after every meal. This can help remove any food particles and germs that may gather in your mouth, between meals. If twice a day isn't cutting it, consider increasing the frequency of your daily brushing.

2) Floss Once a Day

Flossing each day is vital to cleaning hard to reach spaces in your mouth. It can also help to remove food particles and bacteria that hides in your mouth. This bacteria and food can sit in your mouth and react with your saliva, to create a foul odor. To reduce the chance of this, floss at least once a day!

3) Add Mouthwash to Your Routine

Mouthwash is a quick and effective way to freshen your breath. While brushing and flossing can clean your tooth surface and in between, mouthwash can help to clean your entire mouth. For a fresh feel to start the day (or anytime throughout), consider adding mouthwash to your daily oral care routine.

4) Frequently Replace Your Toothbrush

If you suffer from bad breath, it may help to replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every few months. While a toothbrush is helpful to clean your tooth surface, it can also fill up with germs and bacteria. To reduce the chance of this bacteria from entering back into your mouth, change your toothbrush on a regular basis.

5) Scrape Your Tongue

Many times bad breath can be worse in the mornings. Each morning try to scrape your tongue to free any bacteria and other particles from the surface. This can help decrease the bacteria, fungi, and dead cells that cause bad odor in the mouth. Try to scrape off the entire surface of your tongue, for best results.

6) Eat a Citrus Fruit

A piece of lemon or orange can help to freshen your breath. A burst of flavor can help to wake up the mouth too. The citric acid will also stimulate the salivary glands to help fight off bad breath. Keep in mind citrus fruits can wear down the tooth's enamel, so don't try this trick on a regular basis.

7) Drink Plenty of Water

Along with helping with a number of health conditions, bad breath can be improved by drinking the right amount of water. Swish cool water around in your mouth in order to help freshen morning time bad breath. Keeping your mouth hydrated can help the oral functions to work properly.

Now that you've hopefully learned a new technique to reduce the occurrence of bad breath, you're ready to make improvements. If you've tried a number of ways to cure your bad breath, it's time to ask for help. During your next dental visit in southern MO, ask our friendly staff for suggestions. We can help you find the right solution for your bad breath issue. Gain confidence in social situations with fresh breath!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Connect with us on LinkedIn
Follow us on Google+





Springfield Office          Rolla Office          Osage Beach Office      Mountain Grove Office
(417) 501-1048              (573) 426-5447        (573) 348-1466                       (417) 926-1160
1701 West Sunshine      416 S. Bishop Ave.  4320 Osage Beach Pkwy       921 N. Main St.

Springfield, MO 65807   Rolla, MO 65401     Osage Beach, MO. 65065       Mountain Grove