Persistent bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis, can be a real problem. This isn’t the bad breath that you have after the tuna on rye with the extra onions. Rather, it’s the persistent smell that causes self-consciousness. Most importantly, you can’t banish it with mint-flavored gums or mouthwashes. So, you are left wondering how to get rid of bad breath?
First Things First: Evaluate Your Oral Hygiene
First, you must assess your oral hygiene. How are you doing with twice-a-day brushing and consistent flossing? If it’s a hit or miss proposition, redouble your efforts. Try to spend one week focusing on your oral health. Brush and floss your teeth twice a day during this time. At the end of the week, assess whether you made any improvements. If at the end of the week the bad breath hasn’t improved, it’s time to visit the dentist. Finding a provider for regular appointments for teeth cleanings in Richardson, TX could clear up bad breath. However, bad breath can persist even if you have excellent oral hygiene.
How to Get Rid of Bad Breath That Persists?
Different conditions might cause the persistent bad breath you can’t get rid of. Make an appointment with Dentistry by Design for a consultation on a variety of dental services that could treat bad breath.
Cavities are often the prime suspect. As bacteria cause a tooth to decay, they create byproducts. The smell reminds of the compounds you might associate with rotting eggs. Cavity fillings are prescribed to treat any decay noticed in your mouth.
Gum disease could be another culprit. The initial stage of this disease results in the creation of spaces between teeth and gums. Food particles may collect there and decay. If your diet is rich in proteins, you notice the smell quickly.
As gum disease worsens, the body tries to fight it with white blood cells. You’re now dealing with decaying food particles as well as decaying white blood cells. However, it’s important to note that not every bad breath problem is an indication of poor oral health. Gum disease treatment or periodontics can help assess your gum health and create a plan for improving your oral health.
Now, if the condition persists, you must ask how to get rid of bad breath when there isn’t oral decay or gum disease at work? For starters, you might be dealing with a dry mouth condition that one or more of your medications bring on. Check the side effects on the bottle. You’d be surprised to learn how many medications warn you that they might cause dry mouth.
Saliva is essential because it keeps bacteria from building up in the mouth. When there isn’t enough, the acidity in the mouth is too low. Soon, odor-causing bacteria build up. Secondly, there are other medical issues such as viruses that affect sinuses and the throat, which also cause bad breath.
How a Dentist Finds the Underlying Cause of Your Halitosis
It’s not enough to have the hygienist clean your teeth. Rather, it’s time for a full exam. Any number of the problems listed above could provide answers for how to get rid of your bad breath. A comprehensive oral exam and treatment is the best way to get started on not only improving your breath but improving your total oral health. Treatments may include:
- Dental imaging and X-rays can confirm the formation of pockets between gums and teeth
- Same day crowns provide convenient replacement of damaged teeth
- General dentistry services that include filling cavities
- Dental extractions for teeth that have already decayed
- Restorative treatments which return the dental structures to function
Finally, good-quality dental services include a discussion on what dental products you use. Besides that, your dentist can set up a treatment plan for any future work that’ll remove the causes of bad breath.
What is halitosis but a warning to meet with your dentist? The condition won’t get better on its own. Therefore, it’s essential that you set up an appointment as soon as possible. Connect with Dentistry By Design by dialing 972.752.2901 right now while you’re thinking about it.
