Bad breath can feel uncomfortable and embarrassing, even more so when it does not seem to go away. If you are struggling with chronic bad breath, a general dentist can help. Many treatment options are available, some of which take place at home. In this article, we will explore the common causes of bad breath and how to treat it.
Also known as halitosis, bad breath comes in many forms. Regardless of the odor, bad breath typically starts at the back of the mouth. The most frequent causes of bad breath include the following:
General dentists may take several approaches to treat bad breath. It is possible to reverse minor cases of bad breath with professional care and at-home oral hygiene. Take a look at the following dental treatments for halitosis.
Bacteria left on the tongue (such as when it is not brushed away) can quickly multiply and cause bad breath. Unfortunately, most of the bacteria responsible for halitosis are often situated at the very back of the tongue. Therefore, a general dentist can insert a tongue scraper far into the mouth to remove bacteria from those hard-to-reach areas; this process is known as a "deep scrape" on the tongue.
It is also recommended that the patient implement regular tongue scraping as part of their daily oral hygiene routine. This can be done with a toothbrush,at-home tongue scraper, or even a clean metal spoon. In addition, a general dentist may recommend other at-home dental practices to help with bad breath.
As mentioned, bad breath can be traced back to an overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth. Using antibacterial toothpaste can help kill this bacteria. A toothbrush cannot reach every area of the mouth, however. For this reason, a general dentist may recommend using an antibacterial mouthwash between appointments to clean the areas where neither a toothbrush nor tongue scraper can reach.
Tooth decay, or cavities, can also cause bad breath. A general dentist will fill the cavity to address bad breath and ensure the decay does not progress. If left untreated, the decay may reach the tooth's living tissue or pulp, causing a bigger problem. A root canal is required to remove an infected pulp.
Bacteria, plaque, and tartar can hide within the gum pockets (the spaces between the teeth and the gums) and lead to halitosis. If left alone, tooth decay and gum disease will also result. A general dentist can rid the pockets of all these issues with a deep gum cleaning. Often, this can be done in the same appointment as a regular teeth cleaning.
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No one should have to live with chronic bad breath. Let our general dentist help you achieve fresher breath with proven dental procedures. Call our office to learn more.
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Though we go to our general dentist all the time, one thing that not everyone considers is the fact that the dentist is the one that handles most of our oral health issues. How is it that one dentist is responsible for treating and diagnosing so many of our problems without the help of specialists…
Besides ourselves, one other person plays a highly important role in maintaining our oral health, our general dentist. You see, the dentist is responsible for much of the work that goes into our mouths, and without them, most of us would be at a loss as to what to do to protect our teeth, tongue,…