Do you suffer from bad breath on a daily basis? Chronic halitosis is more than just “garlic breath” or “salsa breath” after your last meal. This type of bad breath can actually be an indication of a serious oral health condition that needs attention. In such cases, popping a peppermint or a stick of gum in your mouth is only masking the problem. It may even be that brushing and rinsing with mouthwash aren’t enough to properly address your bad breath at its source.
What could be causing your bad breath?
In many cases, chronic bad breath is a symptom of decay, infection or gum disease, which means that your dentist needs to administer proper treatment before you can regain fresher breath. You may need to have a cavity removed, a root canal to treat an infected tooth or a deep cleaning to eliminate the presence of gum disease. For nearly 90% of halitosis patients, their condition is caused by anaerobic bacteria. When these bacteria are allowed to collect in your mouth (either on the gums, teeth or tongue), they produce volatile sulfur compounds that give off a repulsive odor. Therefore, if you find yourself plagued by chronic bad breath, it may be that your mouth is not as clean as you thought it was. One question to ask yourself: are you brushing your tongue? Millions of bacteria reside on your tongue, so be sure to scrub all surfaces of it during your brushing sessions.
Dry mouth, smoking, medications and certain diseases can also contribute to bad breath. At Gilreath Family Dentistry, we work hard to get to the root of your halitosis and we are happy to work with your primary physician in determining the most appropriate treatment plan.
A Dentist Can Help
Never be too embarrassed to tell your dentist about your bad breath. Halitosis can affect your relationships, your self-esteem and even your professional career. Informing your dentist about the problem could be your first step towards a fresh and confident smile. In many cases, bad breath treatment is an easy and affordable solution.
Posted on behalf of Dr. Paul Gilreath IV,