ByBad breath, medically known as halitosis, impacts people of all ages and may affect your self-confidence. Occasional bad breath is normal and remedied by improving your oral hygiene. Chronic halitosis requires intervention from a dentist to treat. Here are ways your family dentist can help you combat chronic bad breath:
1. Problem Diagnosis
When you visit your family dentist, they conduct an oral examination to assess your overall dental health. They check you for tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections, which may cause bad breath. Your dentist also checks for plaque, tartar, and other buildup on your teeth. If your dentist has treated other family members, they may be able to identify if halitosis runs in your family and prescribe preventative measures.
Once your dentist identifies the cause of your halitosis, they treat it to eliminate the source of your bad breath. If you have an untreated cavity, the dentist will remove the decayed areas in your tooth, clean it, then fill it or fit you with a crown. For gum disease, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics or conduct scaling to remove buildup below the gumline.
2. Dental Cleaning
No matter how thoroughly you brush your teeth, there is always a chance of missing hard-to-reach areas in your mouth. A dental cleaning allows you to remove any buildup on your teeth, tongue, and gums, leaving your mouth fresh. This treatment is particularly beneficial where halitosis results from poor oral hygiene practices.
During dental cleanings, your oral hygienist uses a small mirror to examine the inside of your mouth, helping them identify problem areas. They use a scaler to remove plaque and other buildup on and between your teeth and around your gumline. If the scaler does not remove all the buildup, your dentist uses a high-powered toothbrush and tooth polish to remove residual plaque and biofilm. They follow up with a dental sealant to protect teeth from cavity-causing bacteria.
3. Dry Mouth Treatment
Saliva helps cleanse your mouth by removing residual food particles, preventing bad breath. Dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands in the mouth produce less saliva. This condition may result from tobacco and alcohol use and health conditions like diabetes and yeast infections. Some medications also contribute to dry mouth. With a dry mouth, more particles and bacteria accumulate, leaving you susceptible to bad breath.
Your dentist can diagnose dry mouth and determine its underlying causes for comprehensive treatment. They inquire about your medical history to determine if you have a health condition or are taking medication that makes you vulnerable to dry mouth. Your doctor can prescribe saliva-stimulating medication or lifestyle changes to alleviate dry mouth and prevent halitosis.
4. Specialist Treatments and Referrals
Diabetes and autoimmune diseases have side effects like oral issues or dry mouth, leading to halitosis. In that case, your dentist can refer you to a specialist to help you manage these conditions. Your dentist may also collaborate with your primary physician to treat systemic conditions impacting your oral health.
Severe gum disease and oral infections sometimes necessitate specialized periodontal treatments. Your dentist can coordinate with specialists in their clinic who can offer effective treatments to alleviate your halitosis. Some treatment options are scaling root planing or antibiotics.
Book an Appointment With a Family Dentist
Chronic halitosis can be a challenging condition to deal with as it often requires treatment for underlying causes to be resolved. A family dentist has experience working with patients of all ages and can identify the likely causes of halitosis for different age groups. Your dentist can conduct a comprehensive oral examination to diagnose and treat the underlying causes of your halitosis.
They can provide professional dental cleanings, leaving your mouth fresh. The specialists at family dentistry clinics can also offer specialized treatments to eliminate periodontal conditions causing halitosis. With intervention from your dentist, you can address bad breath and prevent it from reoccurring.
