Halitosis, also known as bad breath, is a persistent condition in which a person has an unpleasant odor coming from their mouth. The odor can be offensive to those around you and can easily affect your confidence. It is a very common condition, affecting approximately 80% of people at some point in their lives. Halitosis is caused by bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria release gasses (volatile sulfur compounds), which smell like rotten eggs. Some people may notice a fruity smell, like rotten apples, which indicates the presence of a certain type of bacteria.
What Causes Halitosis?
Halitosis can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Bad breath due to certain foods and drink
- Smoking
- Dry mouth
- Sinus infections
- A coated tongue
- Certain medications
- Cavities
- Plaque
- Poor oral hygiene
- Tooth trauma
How To Treat Halitosis?
If you have halitosis, you should visit your dentist. Your dentist will be able to diagnose the cause of your halitosis and prescribe an appropriate treatment. Halitosis is completely treatable and preventable. Halitosis treatment typically involves improving oral hygiene, eliminating dry mouth, and treating oral infections.
If your dentist determines that your bad breath is caused by an oral source, they may recommend treatment such as a tongue cleaning, a deep cleaning or a laser treatment. They may also recommend products such as toothpaste with specialty breath freshening ingredients or mouth rinses to help eliminate bad breath.
Your dentist can also help you treat oral halitosis by treating its underlying conditions. For example, if you have gum disease, your dentist will treat your gum disease. If your halitosis is caused by food debris between your teeth, your dentist will clean your teeth.
How To Prevent Halitosis?
Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, using a mouthwash, and visiting your dentist regularly can keep your mouth clean and healthy. Brushing your teeth removes plaque and food particles from your mouth, while flossing removes plaque and food particles from in between the teeth. Mouthwash eliminates harmful bacteria from your mouth and helps keep your mouth fresh. Visiting your dentist regularly to monitor your oral health and screen for oral diseases like tooth decay, cavities, and gum diseases is important.
At Greenwell Springs Family Dentistry, we offer high-quality dental care using state-of-the-art dental technologies. To learn more about our dental services, call Dentist in Greenwell Springs, LA at (225) 261-0043 or visit our dental office located at 14127 Greenwell Springs Road, Greenwell Springs.