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Bad Breath or Halitosis

 

No one wants to experience the awful fear of bad breath or halitosis, especially in social situations. Although a few medical conditions may cause bad breath, the most common causes are related to your teeth, gums, and/or your dental hygiene.

A buildup of plaque and tartar (calculus) may lead to gingivitis and gum disease, a common cause of bad breath. In addition, broken or badly decayed teeth may collect debris and, in time, bacteria form and causes a bad taste and smell.

Our tongue can also host a myriad of bacteria. Other causes of bad breath include certain foods, tobacco use, and dry mouth.

Improving bad breath starts with an evaluation of your teeth and gums. Removing the bacteria responsible for the malodor is the critical first step in the fight against bad breath. If the source is the gums, treatment can range from routine cleaning to deep cleaning (also called scaling and root planning).

When the bad odor comes from the teeth, the solution is often a combination of fillings, crowns, or extractions, depending on the severity of the problem. When decay is removed, the odor goes with it.
It also is important to brush your tongue to remove plaque and bacteria in the deep grooves of the tongue’s surface that can lead to bad breath.

Preventing bad breath entails keeping your teeth, gums, and tongue extremely clean.

Periodontal disease is a common cause of chronic bad breath

 

Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth may be warning signs of gum (periodontal) disease caused by the buildup of plaque on your teeth. The bacterium that forms around your teeth may cause toxins to form in the mouth, which irritate your gums. If gum disease continues without proper treatment, it can damage your gums and the supporting bone around your teeth.

We are here to help you, please ask us for a full periodontal evaluation.

Bad breath may also be attributed to:

 

  • Poorly-fitting or old dental bridges, crowns, and dentures.
  • Yeast infections of the mouth.
  • Dental cavities.
  • Dry mouth- Saliva is necessary to moisten and cleanse the mouth by neutralizing acids produced by plaque and washing away dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be caused by the side effects of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth.
  • Many other diseases and illnesses may cause bad breath. Here are some to be aware of: respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis, chronic sinus infections, postnasal drip, diabetes, chronic acid reflux, and liver or kidney problems.

What you eat also affects breath

 

Basically, all the food eaten begins to be broken down in your mouth. As foods are digested and absorbed into the bloodstream, they are eventually carried to your lungs and given off in your breath. If you eat foods with strong odors (such as garlic or onions), brushing and flossing –even mouth wash- merely covers up the odor temporarily. The odor will not go away completely until the foods have passed through your body.

Poor oral habits may also cause bad breath

 

If you don’t brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, which promotes bacterial growth between your teeth, around your gums, and on your tongue. This will cause bad breath. Antibacterial mouth rinses can help you reduce the bacterial load but will not completely remove the hard plaque or tartar that has already built beneath your gums. Please schedule an appointment with our hygienist so we can bring your mouth back to a healthy state.


Dentures need to be cleaned on a regular basis after every meal; odor-causing bacteria and food particles can cause bad breath when not properly cleaned. Special solutions are sold at your pharmacy of choice to help you keep them clean.


Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products can also cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce your ability to taste foods, and irritate the gums.

HIGHLIGHTS

 

  • Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be warning signs of gum disease.
  • Poor dental health habits may cause bad breath: Brush and floss daily.
  • A dry mouth can also cause bad breath.
  • Bad breath can be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.
  • Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections of the mouth, and dental caries.
  • Dentures must be properly cleaned.
  • Bad breath may be a sign of other health problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Prophylaxis (teeth cleaning)?

A dental prophylaxis is a cleaning procedure performed to thoroughly clean the teeth. Prophylaxis is an important dental treatment for halting the progression of periodontal disease and gingivitis.

Periodontal disease and gingivitis occur when bacteria from plaque colonize on the gingival (gum) tissue, either above or below the gum line. These bacteria colonies cause serious inflammation and irritation which in turn produce a chronic inflammatory response in the body. As a result, the body begins to systematically destroy gum and bone tissue, making the teeth shift, become unstable, or completely fall out. The pockets between the gums and teeth become deeper and house more bacteria which may travel via the bloodstream and infect other parts of the body.

Reasons for prophylaxis/teeth cleaning

Prophylaxis is an excellent procedure to help keep the oral cavity in good health and also halt the progression of gum disease.

Here are some of the benefits of prophylaxis:

  • Tartar removal – Tartar (calculus) and plaque buildup, both above and below the gum line, can cause serious periodontal problems if left untreated. Even using the best brushing and flossing homecare techniques, it can be impossible to remove debris, bacteria and deposits from gum pockets. The experienced eye of a dental hygienist using specialized dental equipment is needed in order to spot and treat problems such as tartar and plaque buildup.
  • Aesthetics – It’s hard to feel confident about a smile marred by yellowing, stained teeth. Prophylaxis can rid the teeth of unsightly stains and return the smile to its former glory.
  • Fresher breath – Periodontal disease is often signified by persistent bad breath (halitosis). Bad breath is generally caused by a combination of rotting food particles below the gum line, possible gangrene stemming from gum infection, and periodontal problems. The removal of plaque, calculus and bacteria noticeably improves breath and alleviates irritation.
  • Identification of health issues – Many health problems first present themselves at a dental visit. Since prophylaxis involves a thorough examination of the entire oral cavity, the hygienist is able to screen for oral cancer, evaluate the risk of periodontitis and often spot signs of medical problems like diabetes and kidney problems. Recommendations can also be provided for altering the home care regimen.

Types of teeth cleaning

  1. Prophylaxis: Dental prophylaxis includes scaling and polishing procedures to remove coronal plaque, calculus, and stains. Some patients may require more than one prophylaxis every six months depending on the efficiency of their dental home care.
  2. Full mouth Debridement: It’s a type of cleaning performed to enable comprehensive periodontal evaluation and diagnosis. The removal of subgingival and/or supragingival plaque and calculus that obstructs the ability to perform an oral evaluation. A re-evaluation is necessary after a month to determine if the patient may need deep cleanings or just regular cleanings.
  3. “Deep Cleaning” or periodontal scaling and root planing, per quadrant. This procedure involves instrumentation of the crown and root surfaces of the teeth to remove plaque and calculus from these surfaces. It is indicated for patients with periodontal disease (active bone loss) and is therapeutic, not prophylactic in nature. The placement of localized antibiotic is recommended after a deep cleaning to ensure best results.
  4. Periodontal maintenance procedures (following deep cleanings). This procedure is for patients who have completed periodontal treatment and includes removal of the bacterial flora from crevicular and pocket areas, scaling and polishing of the teeth, and a review of the patient’s plaque control efficiency. It is recommended every 3-4 months.

As you can see, there is more than ONE type of cleaning. Only a complete dental evaluation can determine the type of cleaning you need. Your daily oral hygiene, habits, and techniques are key to improve and maintain your periodontal condition

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