Bad breath is an embarrassing problem when you can't get it to go away. Many things can cause chronic bad breath, and a lot of the causes start in your mouth. Therefore, the first step to getting rid of the problem is to see your dentist. Your dentist will determine if the problem is caused by a dental condition or if you need to see a doctor for a medical condition. Here are ways a dentist can help you conquer bad breath.
Teeth Cleaning
Your bad breath could simply be a build up of plaque on your teeth due to poor oral hygiene. It could also be caused by gum disease and the infection it causes along your gum line. An approach to treating these problems is to have a dental cleaning. The tartar and plaque are scraped off your teeth to get rid of the odor-causing bacteria.
In the case of gum disease, your teeth are cleaned under the gums to remove pockets of infection. If the infection in your gums is severe, you might need treatment from a specialist to clean it out and get rid of the odor. If a thorough cleaning gets rid of your bad breath, then you can keep your mouth smelling fresh by brushing and flossing daily and having dental cleanings twice a year.
Dental Repairs
Another thing that can give you constant bad breath is tooth decay. The only way to get rid of the odor of decaying teeth is to have them filled, crowned, or removed. If you have several bad teeth, your dentist may give you a bridge or suggest a partial denture or implants. In addition to removing the decay, you may need root canals to clean the infection out of the roots of your teeth. Decayed teeth cause other problems besides bad breath, so getting them repaired is important for your overall health.
Treating Dry Mouth
Dry mouth contributes to bad breath because you're low on saliva that keeps the bacteria from building up on your teeth. Dry mouth can be caused by certain medical conditions or medications. Your dentist may need to work with your doctor to get your dry mouth under control.
You may be given artificial saliva to use to keep your mouth moist. You might be given medications that stimulate the production of saliva as well. Your dentist will also teach you tricks to keep your mouth moist such as chewing sugarless gum or sucking on ice chips during the day. In addition, you'll be taught about the best kind of oral care products to use and the ones to avoid that contribute to dry mouth.
If you have bad breath and you're always chewing gum or using mouthwash to cover it up, talk to your dentist or Paul Dona DDS to uncover the cause and get treatment for your condition so it doesn't affect your social or business life.
