Bad Breath Treatment
Bad breath treatment also known as Halitosis is a persistent, unpleasant odour in exhaled breath, usually not serious. Halitosis — or bad breath — may be due to poor oral hygiene, but this isn’t always the case. It can also occur due to several health conditions, including dry mouth, heartburn or even disease in another part of your body. Treatment for halitosis depends on the underlying cause. Bad breath can have causes that aren’t due to underlying disease.
Request an appointment for Bad Breath Treatment Harrisburg, PA 17110
Examples include poor dental hygiene, dehydration or recently eating certain foods like onions or garlic. For diagnosis your dentist will likely smell both the breath from your mouth and the breath from your nose and rate the odour on a scale. Because the back of the tongue is most often the source of the smell, your dentist may also scrape it and rate its odour. (Bad Breath Treatment Harrisburg)
Causes of Halitosis (Bad Breath)
While poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of halitosis, it’s not the only one. There are several other conditions that can cause bad breath, including:
- Dry mouth: Saliva helps to wash your mouth, so if your body isn’t making enough saliva, it can lead to halitosis. Smoking can cause dry mouth, and it also increases your risk for gum disease. Additionally, certain medications can cause dry mouth.
- Head and neck cancers: Symptoms of oral or oropharyngeal cancer (your oropharynx is between your nose and mouth) include sores that don’t heal, mouth pain, difficulty swallowing, a lump in your neck and unexplained weight loss.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This is a digestive disorder in which stomach acid or fluid leaks back into your oesophagus, the tube that takes food from your mouth to your stomach.
- Tonsil stones: When food gets stuck in your tonsils (located in the back of your throat), it sometimes hardens into calcium deposits called tonsil stones or tonsillitis.
- Gum disease: Gingivitis is an inflammation of your gums that can cause redness, swelling and bleeding. It’s caused by plaque, a sticky film that builds up on your teeth and can be removed by brushing and flossing. Untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, which damages gum tissue and can lead to tooth and bone loss around your teeth. Trench mouth is an advanced form of gum disease that can involve intense pain, bleeding, fever and fatigue. (It’s called “trench mouth” because it was a common illness for soldiers in the trenches during World War I.)
- Infections in your nose, throat or lungs: People with pneumonia, for example, cough up liquid that smells bad.
- Diabetes: People with diabetes have an increased risk of gum disease — and gum disease can make it harder to manage diabetes because it can increase blood sugar.
- Liver disease or kidney disease: When your liver and kidneys are working properly, they filter toxins out of your body. But in people with liver or kidney disease, these toxic substances aren’t being cleared out. This can result in halitosis.
- Sjogren’s syndrome: This autoimmune disease can lead to muscle pain, dry eyes, dry skin and dry mouth (which is often linked to halitosis).
Request an appointment for Bad Breath Treatment Harrisburg, PA 17110
Bad Breath Treatment Harrisburg
Maintain good oral hygiene regularly to reduce bad breath, prevent tooth decay, and reduce the risk of gum disease. Most treatment for bad breath depends on the cause. If you think your bad breath is caused by an underlying medical condition, your dentist may refer you to your primary care physician. ( Bad Breath Treatment)
For reasons related to oral health, your dentist will work with you to help you better manage the condition. Dental procedures include:
Mouthwash and toothpaste- If your bad breath is caused by bacteria (plaque) building up on your teeth, your dentist may recommend a mouthwash to kill the bacteria. Your dentist may also recommend toothpaste that contains antibacterial agents that kill the bacteria that cause plaque.
Request an appointment for Bad Breath Treatment Harrisburg, PA 17110
Treatment of dental disease- If you have gum disease, you may be referred to a periodontist. Gum disease can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, leaving deep pockets filled with odour-causing bacteria. A professional cleaning may just be needed to remove these bacteria. Your dentist may also recommend replacing incomplete tooth restorations that are breeding grounds for bacteria.
Self-treatment: Brushing teeth and tongue after eating, flossing at least once a day and replacing toothbrushes regularly may improve bad breath. Avoiding foods known to cause bad breath, such as onions and garlic, may also help. ( Bad Breath Treatment Harrisburg PA)
Prevention of Bad Breath Treatment, Harrisburg PA
To reduce or prevent bad breath:
- Please brush your teeth after meals. Always have a toothbrush at work and use it after meals. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, especially after meals. Toothpastes with antibacterial properties have been proven to reduce bad breath.
- Floss at least once a day. Proper flossing can help remove food particles and plaque between teeth and help control bad breath.
- Brush Your Tongue Bacteria live on your tongue, so brushing and flossing can eliminate odour. People whose tongue is covered with bacterial overgrowth (such as those smoking or dry mouth) may benefit from using a tongue scrubber. Another method is to use a toothbrush with a built-in tongue cleaner.
- Clean dentures and dental instruments. If you wear bridges or dentures, clean them thoroughly at least once a day or as directed by your dentist. If you use a retainer or mouth guard, clean it each time before putting it in your mouth. Your dentist will recommend the best cleaning products.
- Avoid dry mouth. Avoid smoking and drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist. Coffee, soft drinks and alcohol lead to dry mouth. Chew gum or lick candy (preferably sugar-free) to stimulate saliva. For chronic dry mouth, a dentist or doctor may prescribe artificial saliva preparations or oral medications that stimulate saliva flow.
- Adjust your diet. Avoid eating foods like onions and garlic that cause bad breath. Eating too many sweets is also associated with bad breath.
- Get a new toothbrush regularly. If your toothbrush is wearing out, replace it approximately every 3-4 months and choose a toothbrush with soft bristles.
- Schedule regular dental check-ups. Visit your dentist regularly (usually twice a year) to have your teeth and dentures checked and cleaned.
Seeking Medical Care
See a doctor if you the following-
- Also develop a fever or nasal discharge with pus
- Get mouth sores that can be seen or felt
- Still have bad breath after self-treatment
- Also experience heartburn or chest pain
Request an appointment for Bad Breath Treatment Harrisburg, PA 17110
Please feel free to get in touch with Uptown Dentistry clinic situated at 2626 N 3rd St #3c, Harrisburg, PA 17110 if you are dealing with bad breath for a very long and want to get rid of it. (Bad Breath Treatment Harrisburg)
