Bad breath (halitosis), is an extremely common but usually misinterpreted condition in which a person tends to feel socially uncomfortable and embarrassed due to foul breath odor. At Parkhill Dentistry, we aim to give our patients the information and resources necessary to empower them to take control of their health, manage, and prevent halitosis. We are going to go deep into the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for halitosis, which will keep your smile fresh and healthy.

What Causes Halitosis?

There are various factors responsible for causing halitosis, which could be temporary or chronic in nature. It is important to know the exact causative factor in order to start appropriate treatment. These are the common causes:

1. Poor Oral Hygiene: Inadequate or lack of brushing and flossing of teeth results in retention of food particles in the mouth, which encourages bacterial activity with generation of odor. There is also the presence of plaque and accumulation of tartar that leads to persistent bad breath.
2. Gum Disease: This is an infection with bacteria that first affects the gums and then can affect the supporting structures of the teeth. This condition can lead to bad breath due to the presence of plaque, inflammation, and bacterial growth in deep gum pockets.
3. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Saliva cleanses the mouth through the neutralization of acids and washing away of dead cells and food particles. When saliva dries up due to dry mouth, then these particles will decompose, thus causing a bad smell.
4. Diet: Foods that contain some spices, onions, or garlic are likely to cause bad breath for a short while. Sugar and carbohydrate-containing foods, too encourage bacteria to grow in an individual’s mouth which causes halitosis.
5. Tobacco: Its intake through smoking and other methods is the leading cause of halitosis. It dries out the mouth and leaves an odor.
6. Medical Conditions: Some medical conditions like respiratory infections, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, or even acid reflux, may cause halitosis. One should seek help from your dentist and doctor to establish whether your halitosis is due to a medical condition.

Symptoms of Halitosis

Halitosis can be presented in many forms. Most common signs include:

• Unpleasant and persistent mouth odor
• Bad taste, especially after meals
• Dryness in the mouth or a furry tongue
• Bleeding or swollen gums (sign of gum infection)
• Difficulty swallowing or thick saliva

When you have any of these symptoms, it is very imperative that you seek professional dental care in order for the underlying cause to be detected for the proper treatment process.

How to Prevent Halitosis: Best Practices

Prevention is generally the most effective approach to managing halitosis. Proper oral hygiene and lifestyle adjustments can lead to a great reduction in the occurrence of bad breath. Here are some key steps to prevent halitosis:

1. Brush and Floss Regularly: Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. Also, do not forget to scrape your tongue, which is a repository of many bacteria on its surface.
2. Drink Water: Consuming a proper quantity of water throughout the day would assist in keeping the mouth moist and free it from any food particles. Chewing sugar-free gum will also help in stimulating saliva production and thus reduce the likelihood of bad breath.
3. Routine Dental Checkups: Make frequent visits to your dentist for cleaning and checkups to prevent oral health problems and to detect a problem such as gum disease before it has the chance to escalate.
4. Watch Your Diet: Minimize the intake of foods and drinks that have the potential to cause bad breath, such as garlic, onions, coffee, and alcohol. Consider adopting a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. They tend to have a cleaning effect in the mouth and, therefore, better breath.
5. Stay Away from Tobacco Products: It’s highly advised that you quit smoking and other forms of tobacco use. This will improve your breath and general oral health significantly.
6. Use Mouthwash and Tongue Scrapers: Using mouthwash daily will help kill bacteria and give you fresher breath. Tongue scrapers are effective to eliminate bacteria accumulated on the surface of the tongue, where it easily resides.

Halitosis Treatment Option

If a person is persistently suffering from bad breath despite good oral hygiene, then it may require professional treatment. Below are some of the treatment ways that can help do away with halitosis:

1. Professional dental cleaning: A deep dental cleaning, including if needed, scaling and root planing, might be the best option for most patients with gum disease. This dental cleaning procedure involves the removal of plaque and tartar from below the gum line. Less inflammation is thus experienced and the bacteria that cause odor are done away with.
2. Gum Disease Treatment: If your gums are the underlying cause of your halitosis, the dentist is going to lay out a treatment plan to rid you of the infection. This might involve professional cleanings, antibiotics, or surgery to remove diseased tissue.
3. Dry Mouth Treatment: For individuals with dry mouth, the artificial saliva products or medications are useful in salivation stimulation. Staying hydrated and mouth moisturizers, for example, can also help manage symptoms.
4. Addressing Medical Conditions: If your halitosis is linked to a medical condition, it’s important to work with your healthcare provider to treat the underlying issue. Treating conditions like acid reflux, diabetes, or respiratory infections can help reduce bad breath.

Halitosis can be managed with the help of professionals for its origin, but meanwhile you can do a few things at home to help keep the bad breath at bay.

Proper oral hygiene includes cleaning difficult-to-reach parts of the mouth by proper tooth brushing and flossing, mainly to remove debris on the back side of the tongue. An antibacterial rinse could also be used.

Chew Sugar-Free Gum

Chewing of sugar-free gum helps in the stimulation of production of saliva, which acts as a natural mouth cleanser and moistens the mouth.

Eating a Balanced Diet:Add fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet to help with oral health and avoiding bad breath.

Why Choose Parkhill Dentistry for Halitosis Treatment?

At Parkhill Dentistry, we ensure our patients achieve a healthy mouth and fresh breath. Our experienced dental team will provide you with personalized care and state-of-the-art treatment plans to manage halitosis. We are firm believers in creating a friendly, warm atmosphere in which patients feel confident in the treatment they receive.

If you are suffering from chronic or frequent instances of bad breath, or looking for prevention measures, our team is here to support you. Contact Parkhill Dentistry for an appointment now so that you can take the first step to enjoying a healthier, fresher smile.

Reach Us

Parkhill Dentistry
280 Parkhill Main St, Parkhill, ON N0M 2K0
Phone: (519) 294-0151

We look forward to helping you keep your smile fresh and confident!