Imagine you are starting a new job and are going to meet with your new boss for the first time. Confidence is key to your success. As you reach out to shake the extended hand your broad confident smile exposes rows of pearly white teeth, yet when you open your mouth to exchange greetings you worry about bad breath.

Perhaps your breath is not as a pleasant as you had hoped. Bad breath is a worry and possible embarrassment for many residents of Owensboro, Kentucky, from ages 30 to 50. Regular dental checkups at Thompson & Frey Cosmetic & Family Dentistry can help alleviate your concern over bad breath. We have been addressing bad breath since 1986.

The technical term for bad breath is halitosis. Many factors can cause or contribute to halitosis. One of these factors is the food you eat. Onions and garlic are both known for having a potent affect on your breath. Simply observing the foods you eat can result in a change in your breath.

Bad breath generally originates in your mouth. Transient bad breath can be resolved through eating or brushing, and is a temporary condition usually associated with a dry mouth. Persistent bad breath can be a serious problem affecting as much as 25 percent of our patients. Persistent bad breath can be caused by dry mouth, and is made worse when food is not cleared away properly.

Brushing and flossing daily is an essential step in curing bad breath. Food particles can build up in your mouth and foster bacteria which can cause bad breath. This not only includes the food particles that may get stuck between your teeth, but also the food that collects around your gums or on your tongue. Brushing and flossing daily can help reduce the amount of food particles that stay in your mouth and cause bad breath. Regular visits can also reduce or eliminate the progression of bad breath.

Other factors to look at include dry mouth, tobacco use, and dangerous health concerns such as infections. Come visit Thompson & Frey Cosmetic & Family Dentistry located in Owensboro, Kentucky; we’ll provide you with information about bad breath in a professional environment. Give us a call at 270-228-2257 to set up an appointment.

Dr. David Thompson & Dr. Vicki Frey

Contact Thompson & Frey Cosmetic & Family Dentistry: 270-228-2257

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3164 Alvey Park Dr E
Owensboro, Kentucky
42303

If you’ve ever walked the aisles of any drugstore, you know that there are many different types of mouthwash. Some tout their germ-killing abilities, others emphasize their fluoride content, and some claim to whiten teeth while freshening the breath. These are all great benefits, but will they make or break your dental health?

Many folks wonder if daily mouthwash should be part of their dental routine. Brushing and flossing are the two vital habits that have the greatest influence on dental health, so if you’re doing these two things, is mouthwash necessary?

We’re Drs. David Thompson and Vicki Frey of Thompson & Frey Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Owensboro. When our dental patients ask about mouthwash, tell them that as long as they follow the directions on the bottle, mouthwash may slightly benefit dental health, even if it doesn’t live up to every promise as advertised. Rinsing with a mouthwash that contains fluoride can’t hurt your teeth, but allowing a bit of diluted toothpaste to stay on tooth surfaces after brushing probably has the same benefit.

People who suffer from bad breath often believe that mouthwash can solve the problem. Actually, mouthwashes that contain alcohol can worsen the issue because they can cause dry mouth – a condition that can contribute to bad breath. Mouthwashes without alcohol are typically more effective for freshening breath. These products are usually called fluoride rinses.

If you have chronic bad breath, however, you should have your teeth checked for plaque build-up. No amount of mouthwash can remedy a mouth full of plaque. If your teeth and gums are healthy and you still suffer from bad breath, it’s important to confirm the cause. Bad breath can be an indication of a physical condition, so see your doctor soon.

Bottom line? Never substitute mouthwash for proper brushing and flossing. And if you use mouthwash, opt for a brand that contains fluoride and no alcohol.

Thank you for visiting our dental blog. We like to tackle important issues such as dental products, cosmetic dentistry procedures, over-the-counter teeth whitening, conscious sedation, invisible braces, pediatric dentistry, oral care habits, and more!

Thompson & Frey Cosmetic & Family Dentistry provides first rate dental care to our valued patients. If you are interested in making an appointment, please call us at 270-228-2257. A member of my friendly and helpful staff can answer any questions you have about our services.

Call today!

Contact Thompson & Frey Cosmetic & Family Dentistry: 270-228-2257

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3164 Alvey Park Dr E
Owensboro, Kentucky
42303

A simple way for dental patients to choose beverages that won’t harm their teeth is to keep it simple and make water their go-to drink. However, for safety, thrift, and convenience, many choose to drink bottled water or filter it themselves at home.

Filtered water affects oral health if it doesn’t contain fluoride. Fluoride prevents tooth decay.

If you choose bottled water and wonder if any naturally occurring fluoride has been removed, check the label. If you prefer to filter your own tap water, look to see if the American Dental Association has given the filter its seal of approval.

Water filters that carry the ADA seal don’t remove fluoride, so you can be sure that the fluoride is still in your water and benefitting your teeth.

We’re Drs. David Thompson and Vicki Frey, experienced Owensboro dentists serving the Henderson, Tell City, IN, and Hartford areas. We’re passionate about helping my patients have healthy mouths and beautiful smiles. Contact us today at 270-228-2257 and we can answer any questions you have about dental health, cosmetic dentistry, or smile makeovers.

We have been serving the Owensboro area since 1986, and we would love to make you another one of our satisfied patients. Want to know more about fluoride and tooth decay, or dental veneers and teeth whitening in Owensboro , we’d be happy to schedule a consultation for you. Call now!

Contact Thompson & Frey Cosmetic & Family Dentistry: 270-228-2257

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3164 Alvey Park Dr E
Owensboro, Kentucky
42303

When is the last time you had a dental check-up? Most people need a dental check-up every six months. If you are at higher risk for oral diseases, we recommend an examination every four months.

David Thompson and Vicki Frey, DMD, of Thompson & Frey Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Owensboro is accepting new patients. If you do not currently have a dentist or are unhappy with your provider, we invite you to learn about our practice and meet our team. We are confident that you will like what you find. Many Owensboro residents entrust us with their dental health and we enjoy the relationships we have with them.

Give us a call at 270-228-2257 to make a dental appointment. You can also visit our website at https://www.thompsonandfrey.com/ for more information about our services.

Most people are in a medium-to-low risk category for dental problems. However, if you use tobacco or alcohol, eat a lot of sugar, have an eating disorder, have poor oral hygiene habits, or suffer from medical conditions that affect your mouth, you are likely in a higher risk category. It is important to your dental and physical health to have your teeth checked right away.

We look at a variety of individual factors to determine your oral health and treatment. We want you to have the healthiest teeth possible and enjoy a beautiful smile for life. The philosophy ‘”Ignore it and it will go away,” does not apply to a tooth or gum problem.

Call 270-228-2257 to schedule a check-up. We hope to hear from you soon.

Contact Thompson & Frey Cosmetic & Family Dentistry: 270-228-2257

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3164 Alvey Park Dr E
Owensboro, Kentucky
42303

Hi. We’re Drs. David Thompson and Vicki Frey. When our patients get mouth sores, we advise them to evaluate what they’re eating and make some changes. Avoid the discomfort of eating and help increase the speed of healing by following these tips:

1. Eat soft or pureed foods. Don’t worry, you won’t have to eat baby food – plenty of adult dishes fit the bill:

cream soups
yogurt
hot cereal
mashed potatoes
puddings

2. Keep your meals bland for a while. It’s no fun for your taste buds, but watch out for overly spicy, tart, salty or acidic foods while you have a mouth sore.

3. Keep it cool. Eat only food that is at room temperature or served chilled.

4. Use a straw to bypass the mouth sore altogether.

5.  Moisten dry foods. Do this by adding sauces, dressings, and gravies to your meals.

If you’re looking for a dentist in the Owensboro area, consider Thompson & Frey Cosmetic & Family Dentistry. We have been serving Owensboro since 1986. Call us at 270-228-2257 to schedule an examination and consultation. We offer a complete menu of general and cosmetic dental procedures.

The following website was used as source material for this blog:
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/nutrition/nutrition-concerns/, accessed on February 21, 2013

Contact Thompson & Frey Cosmetic & Family Dentistry: 270-228-2257

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3164 Alvey Park Dr E
Owensboro, Kentucky
42303

Have you ever been eating an ice cream cone when you experienced a sudden zap of pain in one of your teeth? If the enamel has eroded, or the gums have receded, the dentin layer of the tooth is exposed. The substances that cause tooth pain travel to the pulp where the nerves of the tooth are located. Ouch!

Tooth sensitivity can be an alert that something is wrong. It may be caused by a cavity, periodontal disease, gum recession, or bacteria build-up in a crack in a tooth.

A number of elements can bring about gum recession, including consuming acidic foods and drinks, teeth grinding, or cracked teeth. Surprisingly, one cause of gum recession is brushing too hard. That’s right; it is possible to brush too forcefully!

If your teeth are sensitive following a professional teeth whitening, the sensitivity will probably be gone in a few days. If you experience constant or intermittent pain in your teeth or gums, call 270-228-2257 right away to make an appointment. We take tooth pain seriously.

There are numerous treatments for tooth sensitivity including desensitizing toothpaste, fluoride treatments, and gum grafting. Of course, if you need a restoration, that is the first order of business.

At Thompson & Frey Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Owensboro, we not only treat tooth sensitivity, we also carry out entire smile redesigns. Call us at 270-228-2257 to schedule a consultation and exam.

“Where You Will Always Be Treated as Family.”

Contact Thompson & Frey Cosmetic & Family Dentistry: 270-228-2257

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3164 Alvey Park Dr E
Owensboro, Kentucky
42303