One of the most embarrassing moments in life is when someone confronts you about your stinky breath. Bad breath can be a turnoff and to many patients, a reason for low self-confidence. Unfortunately, you may not always be able to treat your bad breath at home. Instead, you can turn to your dentist in Phoenix for bad breath treatment.
It is a foul odor in your mouth, evident when you talk or laugh. In dentistry, a dentist near you will call it Halitosis. The condition can severely affect your confidence level, worsening with time.
Various factors can be linked to mouth odor. Some of the common causes of bad breath are:
Poor oral hygiene – is the leading cause of bad breath in all dental offices in Phoenix.
Dental decay – a diseased tooth traps bacteria, which can cause bad breath.
Stomach problems
An uncleansed tongue – odor-causing bacteria can accumulate on the tongue if you do not clean it well.
Certain foods – some foods have strong smells, including garlic and red onions.
Periodontal disease – gum infections often lead to Halitosis.
Dry mouth – is medically called Xerostomia. When you have inadequate saliva in your mouth, it can lead to bad breath.
Tobacco products and alcohol – smokers and drunkards often have bad breath.
Liver disease or kidney disease
Usually, bad breath is common for everyone. At one point, you have an unpleasant smell in your mouth. Typically, people have bad breath in the morning or after eating certain meals. The underlying cause of the bad breath can determine the actions you need to take. Some of the ways you can improve your breath at home are:
Drink lots of water to keep your mouth and body well hydrated.
Avoid foods with strong smells, especially when preparing for social gatherings.
Keep your mouth clean through teeth brushing and flossing.
Seek treatment for cavities and dental decay.
Always clean your tongue to scrape off any odor-causing bacteria.
Take care of your gum health to prevent gum infections.
While it may be normal for people to have bad breath at certain times, it can be an oral condition that needs treatment. Therefore, do not hesitate to visit a Phoenix dentist for bad breath treatment.
Halitosis can best be treated by a dentist near you after a comprehensive diagnosis to find the underlying cause. However, you will know you need treatment for bad breath when:
The odor persists even after teeth brushing
You have a foul taste in your mouth
The natural remedies for bad breath do not work
At All Smiles Dental Care, we approach Halitosis differently, depending on the underlying cause. For some patients, it is enough to make certain adjustments to support good oral hygiene and promote excellent oral health. However, some other patients need intricate treatment to manage the underlying problem. Some of the treatments for Halitosis are:
Dental cleaning products – a dentist near you will recommend a tooth past with antibacterial agents and a mouth rinse that kills the bacteria.
Deep cleaning – entails root planing and scaling to remove plaque and tartar from teeth. The cleaning works well for patients with gum disease.
Treating underlying oral infections – any treatment for gum disease and tooth decay can work to improve your breath. The treatments can range from dental fillings and root canals to tooth extractions and dental cleanings.
Medication – although there is no pill for Halitosis, a dentist can prescribe medicine to heal infected gums and kill bacteria in the mouth. The medicine will be very effective to counter ulcerative gingivitis if gum disease is the cause of your bad breath.
Habit counseling – you have to give up habits like smoking if you want to improve your breath.
Generally, there is no one-fix cure for Halitosis. You must identify the cause, then manage it accordingly. Practicing good oral hygiene and eating healthily are fundamental for maintaining good breath.