Many patients feel paranoid about bad breath for no reason—a quick visit to a dentist’s office will give patients a sound reading on the level of odor-causing chemicals in their mouth. Call a local family or cosmetic dentist to inquire before making an appointment—not all offices have this equipment. This is done with a device called a Halimeter. Patients blow into the device using a straw-like attachment, and it measures the level of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in the mouth.

Any patients who are concerned about bad breath should request to be tested to alleviate doubt or stress. Should the results show elevated levels of odor causing bacteria, patients can take many steps to reduce or eliminate the problem. They should begin by avoiding food and drinks with caffeine, dense proteins like meat and cheese, and the notorious no-no’s like garlic and onions. (Because some of these substances also stain teeth, local patients who are treated for odorous breath might want to consider Toronto teeth whitening as an added bonus!) In addition, patients should brush the teeth and tongue twice a day, use minty mouthwashes, and, if the problem warrants, use internal breath fresheners in the form of pills.

Patients in Toronto, Canada can request an appointment with Toronto dentist Dr. Andrew Charkiw or his partner Dr. Armaghan Afsar—their office has the necessary equipment to provide testing, plus experience with many local patients in helping patients overcome odorous breath. These are dentists Toronto residents have trusted for years.

The Journal of the American Medical Association recently featured a report that says cancer survivors in the U.S. and Europe are 37% more likely to be unemployed than their healthy colleagues. While the report did not speculate about the reasons for high unemployment, Angela G.E.M. de Boer of the Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, the chief author of the report, told The New York Times that many survivors simply may not be physically capable of returning to work. Still, “employment is associated with a higher quality of life, and encouraging survivors to return to work also benefits aging societies economically,” Dr. de Boer added.

During and after treatment, support services for cancer patients and their families are crucial to recovery. In addition to technologically advanced treatments such as prostate cancer brachytherapy, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), chemotherapy, and radiation, the Dale & Frances Hughes Cancer Center in East Stroudsburg, PA offers pastoral care and counseling and information about support groups.

Many people are aware that teeth change color over time. A cosmetic dentist can often lighten teeth stained by smoking or drinking beverages like coffee or tea. Some discoloration of teeth comes with age as well. While these elements affect tooth color, the process of tooth discoloration involves the inside of the tooth as well as the outside. Children generally grow sparkling white teeth as babies and toddlers because of the components of the natural enamel surface. This enamel is made up of tiny crystalline rods, which help protect tooth enamel from the effects of chewing, bumps, or acid from foods containing sugar. Over many years, the enamel wears down. This results in a change in tooth color. It is also true, of course, that staining contributes to natural tooth discoloration.

Many individuals have experienced the benefits of tooth whitening, and the procedure has been documented on shows such as “Style by Jury,” as well as informational documentaries. As a person chews his or her food, millions of tiny cracks form in the enamel. When an individual drinks fluids like coffee, the cracks fill up with the substance, which results in staining. As stains build up over time, the teeth develop a dull appearance. To remove these stains, brushing isn’t sufficient. The reason teeth whitening works is because of the chemicals used in the gel or other applications applied to the teeth. The applications most often contain a hydrogen peroxide base that seeps into the cracks of teeth and eliminates deep stains within them.

By reducing or eliminating these stains, tooth whitening treatments can dramatically lighten the color of teeth. With the popularity of cosmetic dentistry Toronto patients have become accustomed to seeing friends and neighbors with much whiter teeth! Some patients prefer to do the procedure by over-the-counter or take home kits from their dentist office. Remember that shades can differ substantially, so it is recommended to do tooth whitening procedures with guidance from a professional dentist for optimal results.