Bad Breath Treatment (Halitosis)
You don’t have to live with chronic bad breath – a medical condition known as halitosis. There are ways to prevent it and eliminate bad breath once and for all.
What is Halitosis?
Millions of people – an estimated 1 in 4 people globally – suffer from chronic bad breath/halitosis. It can cause embarrassment and anxiety, but it’s relatively easy to remedy. Halitosis is caused by oral bacteria trapped in your mouth for an extended time.
How to Get Rid of Halitosis:
The key to dealing with bad breath is treating the problem’s root–removing the odor’s source. Over-the-counter remedies such as mouthwash, mints, and gum only mask the problem.
At Hamilton Family Dentistry, we treat halitosis with a professional cleaning and oral cleanse to reach crevices not normally accessed through regular brushing and flossing. Occasionally, a deep cleaning, consisting of scaling and root planing, is needed to remove bacteria trapped below the gum line. We can also perform tongue scraping if the tongue is the source of the smell.
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What causes halitosis?
Bad breath can be caused by various factors, ranging from oral health issues to dietary habits and certain medical conditions.
Oral hygiene and dental issues
- Poor oral hygiene
- Gum disease
- Dental cavities
- Dry mouth
- Oral infections
Foods and lifestyle
- Foods like garlic, onions, and spices
- Smoking and tobacco
- Alcohol consumption
Health conditions
- Chronic medical conditions such as certain cancers, metabolic disorders, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Respiratory tract infections
- Diabetes
- Kidney and liver failure
Identifying the underlying cause of bad breath is important to treat it effectively. In many cases, improving oral hygiene can resolve the issue, but if bad breath persists, give us a call so we can help diagnose the issue.
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Is halitosis permanent?
Halitosis is not usually permanent. It can often be managed or treated effectively.
Managing halitosis often involves:
- Improving oral hygiene
- Regular dental check-ups
- Staying hydrated
- Avoiding foods known to contribute to bad breath, like onions and garlic
- Reducing coffee and alcohol intake
- Quitting smoking
- Treating underlying medical conditions
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Is halitosis contagious?
Halitosis is not contagious. However, some underlying causes of halitosis can be contagious, such as oral infections (gum disease or dental abscesses) and respiratory infections, such as colds, sinus infections, or throat infections.
While the bacteria or viruses causing these conditions can be transmitted, exposure to someone’s bad breath doesn’t mean you will develop halitosis.
Questions About Halitosis?
If you have more questions about halitosis/bad breath treatment, please contact our office and we will be happy to discuss further.
