Bad Breath Treatment
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Not only is bad breath embarrassing, but it can also affect your relationships, confidence and self-esteem. Moreover, it can also be an indication of a larger underlying dental problem that could worsen if neglected. While it’s normal to have bad breath upon waking in the morning, bad breath that persists is not a good sign. But don’t worry because we offer treatment at Warrnambool Smile Dental to help you alleviate bad breath.
Our team is highly experienced in assessing and rooting out the cause of your bad breath to treat it with preventative and general dental care. Schedule your consultation with us today to get started on a happier, healthier you!
What Is Halitosis?
Bad breath, also known as Halitosis, is a dental condition where your mouth gives off a strong, foul odour due to the accumulation of bacteria. While it’s difficult to point at one single cause for bad breath, poor oral hygiene is one of the main factors of this condition.
From mints to mouthwashes there are different types of products in the market targeted at preventing bad breath. While they can help to a certain extent, they are not long-lasting solutions as they fail to address the root cause. This is especially true if you have chronic bad breath.
For that reason, it is important to seek professional dental help if you have bad breath. After a comprehensive assessment, our skilled dentists can diagnose the root cause and create a personalised treatment plan for you.
What Causes Bad Breath?
As mentioned before, one of the leading causes of bad breath is the lack of proper oral hygiene. When you don’t take care of your oral hygiene with daily brushing, flossing and regular checkups, food particles get stuck between your teeth, eventually releasing a foul odour.
Other causes of bad breath include:
- Gum disease and tooth decay resulting from poor oral health
- Dry mouth caused by certain medication, alcohol, etc.
- Lifestyle habits like smoking
- Medical conditions such as kidney failure, diabetes and liver disease
- Foods that contain strong odours such as onions and garlic
- Sinus/tonsil infections
- Unclean dentures or faulty dental work
- Acid reflux
Symptoms Of Bad Breath
The telltale sign of bad breath or Halitosis is none other than an unpleasant smell in your mouth. However, most of the time, you may not know whether you have bad breath. So, here are some other symptoms that can help identify if you have bad breath.
- A white coating towards the back of your tongue
- Dry mouth
- Constant sour, bitter metallic taste
- A burning tongue
- Thick saliva and a need to constantly clear your throat
- Build up around teeth
Bad Breath Treatments
The first step in treating bad breath is to identify the cause of bad breath. When you come in for a consultation, our dentists will perform a thorough examination to diagnose the cause.
Chronic bad breath or Halitosis usually results from gum disease caused by poor oral hygiene. If bad breath is caused by gum disease, our dentists will carry out a deep cleaning (also known as scaling and root planing) to thoroughly remove plaque and tartar residing around your teeth and under your gums. Depending on your case, we may prescribe antibiotics as well.
Our dental professionals at Warrnambool Smile Dental will also offer you advice on how to maintain good oral hygiene. These include tips and techniques on how to effectively brush and floss your teeth and demonstrations on how to clean your tongue. By adopting these practices into your oral hygiene routine and coming in for regular checkups every 6 months, you will be able to significantly reduce your risk of bad breath in the future.
Solutions for Bad Breath Prevention
There is no quick, one-time fix to get rid of bad breath. While a professional scale and clean can help cure bad breath, it’s useless if you don’t practice good oral hygiene, and chances are that bad breath will return. So, here are some things that you should be doing if you want to reduce your risk of bad breath:
- Brush your teeth twice and floss once daily
- Change your toothbrush every 3-4 months or as soon as the bristles start to bend
- Visit your dentist regularly (at least twice a year)
- Brush/clean your tongue to remove bacteria from the surface of the tongue
- Visit your dentist regularly (at least twice a year)
- Drink plenty of water to wash away food debris and bacteria in your mouth
- Chew sugar-free gum to promote saliva production, which can wash away food particles
- Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet
- Quit smoking and using tobacco products
- If you have dentures or other dental restorations, make sure to clean them and around them
- Ask your dentist for a mouthwash or toothpaste with antibacterial properties
If you’ve tried almost all of these and your bad breath persists, we recommend you schedule an appointment with our friendly team.
When Should I See the Dentist?
Wondering when to see the dentist when suffering from bad breath? We recommend scheduling an appointment with our dentist if bad breath persists or if you have bad breath despite sticking to a proper oral hygiene routine.
When you come in for a consultation, our dentist will perform a comprehensive examination of your mouth to identify the underlying cause. We may also ask questions about your symptoms to arrive at a proper diagnosis. Once done, we will create a personalised treatment plan for you!
Bad Breath In Children
Bad breath is also a common issue that affects children just like adults. Poor oral hygiene is one of the main causes of bad breath in kids. While it can be challenging to encourage your children to maintain good oral hygiene habits, it’s essential to start teaching them at a very young age. This can help prevent other dental problems from arising, help them develop good oral hygiene habits and set them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Here are some tips for helping your child develop good oral hygiene habits:
- Start brushing early
- Make brushing a fun experience. Not something they absolutely dread.
- Limit sugary foods and drinks
- Floss regularly
- Visit the dentist regularly
Remember, prevention is key when it comes to dental health, so start teaching your child good oral hygiene habits as soon as possible.
Treat Bad Breath Effectively At Warrnambool Smile
Are you looking for bad breath treatment in Warrnambool? Warrnambool Smile Dental is your trusted dental clinic serving patients with effective bad breath treatments. Our dentists will work with you to diagnose the cause of bad breath and develop personalised treatment plans that meet your needs.
At Warrnambool Smile Dental, our warm and friendly team is trained and experienced in treating patients of all ages. From children’s dentistry to cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry and, emergency dentistry, we offer comprehensive dental care to care for your smile.
Speak to us if you are concerned about your breath.
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