Bad breath (halitosis) is not something anyone wants to experience. Knowing, or finding out, that you have bad breath can be quite embarrassing. Bad breath can impact every part of your life: your work relationships, your personal relationships, and even your marriage. It can be impossible to get close to people if you are afraid of how your breath smells. At our Livingston cosmetic dentistry practice, we realize the sensitive nature of seeking treatment for bad breath. We always treat our patients with the understanding and compassion they deserve.
Good Oral Hygiene
Most of the time, bad breath is caused by poor oral hygiene. It is important to develop a daily dental routine that focuses on good dental hygiene. For many patients, taking these small steps will be enough to stop bad breath from happening:
- Visiting the dentist at least twice a year
- Brushing your teeth twice a day, with fluoride toothpaste
- Brushing your tongue
- Brushing after meals
- Replacing your toothbrush every three months
- Flossing once a day
- If you wear dentures, remove them at night and clean them every day
- If you smoke, quit smoking (quit using all tobacco products)
- Drink plenty of water
- Use mouthwash
Causes of Bad Breath
Finding the cause of bad breath is important, as it may be the result of a bigger problem. We will perform a thorough examination to find the cause of your bad breath. Sometimes, bad breath will signal a medical problem. If your bad breath is caused by a medical problem, it is important to seek immediate medical care. Some of the many causes of bad breath include:
- Diabetes
- Lactose intolerance
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Liver or kidney disease
- Chronic bronchitis
- Dry mouth
- Diet
- Poor dental hygiene
- Dentures, braces, and other dental devices
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
Treatment for Bad Breath
Good dental hygiene and a change in diet may be enough to stop bad breath. Sometimes, a special toothpaste and mouthwash will be prescribed. For patients suffering from bad breath because of braces, simply brushing your teeth more thoroughly can make a huge difference. For denture wearers, it is essential to always clean your dentures before wearing them. When bad breath is the result of poor dental hygiene, gum disease or tooth decay is often present. Gum disease and tooth decay can be devastating. Professional dental cleaning, scaling and root planing, and other options may be recommended in the treatment of gum disease and tooth decay. Patients may also benefit from dental crowns when undergoing treatment for tooth decay. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over the tooth. Our Livingston dental crowns patients find that the treatment restores the size, shape, and strength of the damaged tooth. Once the crown is placed, it encompasses the entire visible surface of the tooth.
Contact the Silverstrom Group Today
Because of the impact bad breath has on your life, and its many causes, it is vital to your health to treat bad breath. To learn more about treatments for bad breath, please contact The Silverstrom Group today.
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