Halitosis goes by a far more common name: bad breath. Sometimes the cause behind bad breath may be that garlic-heavy lunch you ate, and sometimes it can be a signal of other health concerns. As there are a variety of causes that lead to halitosis, there are a number of different treatment solutions that dental professionals use to remedy the issue. Here are some of the most common:
Assessment of Oral Care
One of the simplest ways to treat halitosis is to revisit how you’re taking care of your dental health and what can be improved. That means discussing whether you’re using the right kind of toothbrush and floss, whether you’re using the proper technique, and whether you’re visiting a dentist on a regular basis. Your dentist may even recommend a specific mouth rinse to use as well to kill the odor-causing bacteria.
Check for Dental Disease
While not everyone who has bad breath has gum disease, gum disease can lead to bad breath. This is because the pockets that form between your gums and your teeth as a result of the disease may wind up the home of odor-causing bacteria. If you have gum disease, your dentist can put you on a proper treatment plan, which may involve a deep cleaning, antibiotic rinse, or surgery depending on the severity of the situation.
While not a disease per say, dry mouth can also cause a bad odor. If you deal with dry mouth on a regular basis, your dentist can help pinpoint what’s causing the dry mouth and how it can be remedied to get to the root of the problem.
Review of Diet
Since diet is another cause of halitosis, one method of treatment is to review what you’re eating and make adjustments. For example, eating a lot of sugary substances can contribute to an increase of odor-causing bacteria in your mouth.
Visit Us for a Consultation!
If you suffer from halitosis, we invite you to visit Signature Smiles Dental at either our Streetsboro or Elyria location for a consultation. Our team will sit down to review your dental condition, health history, and current oral hygiene practices so that we can help you find a solution.