Our Blog:
Archive:
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
Tags
- celebrity smiles (69)
- dental implants (20)
- chipped tooth (6)
- bonding (3)
- clear aligners (2)
- orthodontics (3)
- oral hygiene (23)
- dental injury (10)
- mouthguard (4)
- dental treatment (1)
- thumb sucking (2)
- pediatric dentistry (7)
- fillings (1)
- smile makeover (4)
- cosmetic dentistry (13)
- dental hygienist (1)
- pregnancy (1)
- dentures (12)
- Root Canals (2)
- Teeth Whitening (8)
- dental hygiene (1)
- Veneers (8)
- Dental Crowns (2)
- root canal (4)
- Nutrition (9)
- mouthguards (6)
- bridge (2)
- bacteria (1)
- oral health (21)
- sleep apnea (3)
- snoring (3)
- tooth decay (11)
- sealants (1)
- oral cancer (4)
- Nitrous Oxide (1)
- fluoride (3)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- bleeding gums (1)
- periodontal disease (2)
- gum disease (7)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- sensitive teeth (4)
- crowns (5)
- chipped teeth (1)
- bad breath (3)
- braces (6)
- diabetes (2)
- tmj disorders (3)
- tmd (1)
- tmj (2)
- Laser Periodontal Therapy (1)
- orthodontic treatment (5)
- adult orthodontics (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- medication (1)
- wisdom teeth (4)
- bridges (1)
- porcelain veneers (1)
- teeth grinding (3)
- retainers (1)
- dental emergency (1)
- sugar (2)
- x-ray (1)
- laser dentistry (1)
- extractions (1)
- missing teeth (1)
- restorative dentistry (2)
- jaw pain (2)
- bruxism (1)
- burning mouth syndrome (1)
- flossing (2)
- bone grafting (2)
- tooth pain (2)
- dental bonding (1)
- x-rays (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- dental injuries (1)
- Dental Visits (1)
- mouth sore (2)
- artificial sweeteners (1)
- medications (1)
- cracked tooth (1)
- cancer treatment (1)
- Tooth Extractions (1)
- toothache (1)
- cold sore (1)
- dental implant (3)
- bone loss (1)
- oral appliance (1)
- dental insurance (1)
- Root Canal Treatment (1)
- removable partial denture (1)
- pain management (1)
- lingual braces (1)
- smoking (1)
- nerve pain (1)
We all experience the occasional bout of bad breath from dry mouth or after eating certain foods. Chronic halitosis, on the other hand, could have an underlying health cause like periodontal (gum) disease, sinus infections or even systemic illnesses like diabetes. Anyone with persistent halitosis should undergo a thorough examination to determine the root cause.
If such an examination rules out a more serious cause, it’s then possible the particular population of bacteria that inhabit your mouth (out of a possible 600 or more strains) and your body’s response makes you more susceptible to halitosis. After feeding on food remnants, dead skin cells or post-nasal drip, certain types of bacteria excrete volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) that give off an odor similar to “rotten eggs.”
In this case, we want to reduce the bacterial population through plaque removal, which in turn reduces the levels of VSCs. Our approach then is effective oral hygiene and perhaps a few cleanings — the basics every person should practice for good oral health — along with a few extra measures specific to chronic halitosis.
This calls for brushing and flossing your teeth daily. This will remove much of the plaque, the main breeding and feeding ground for bacteria, that has accumulated over the preceding twenty-four hours. In some cases, we may also recommend the use of an interproximal brush that is more adept in removing plaque clinging to areas between the teeth.
You may also need to pay special attention in cleaning another oral structure contributing to your bad breath — your tongue. The back of the tongue in particular is a “hideout” for bacteria: relatively dry and poorly cleansed because of its convoluted microscopic structure, bacteria often thrive undisturbed under a continually-forming tongue coating. Simply brushing the tongue may not be enough — you may also need to use a tongue scraper, a dental device that removes this coating. (For more information, see the Dear Doctor article, “Tongue Scraping.”)
Last but not least, visit our office for cleanings and checkups at least twice a year. Professional cleanings remove bacterial plaque and calculus (hardened plaque deposits) you’re unable to reach and remove with daily hygiene measures. Following this and the other steps described above will go a long way toward eliminating your bad breath, as well as enhancing your total oral health.
If you would like more information on treating chronic bad breath, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Bad Breath: More Than Just Embarrassing.”
