Does bad breath linger even when you brush and floss every day? Are you embarrassed around other people because of chronic bad breath? You may have halitosis. Our dentists at Hermitage Dental can treat halitosis in Edmonton, AB. We’ll consider your medications, health problems, and oral hygiene habits to create a custom treatment plan.
Bad breath is a part of our dental concerns that our dental team treats. Once we find the cause of halitosis, we can recommend the best treatment for fresher breath.
What Causes Bad Breath?
Bad breath happens when certain bacteria in your mouth produce sulfur-like compounds. These compounds smell unpleasant and are often the result of leftover food particles, dry mouth, or gum disease. Some common causes of halitosis in Edmonton, AB, can include:
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Food can stay between teeth if you don’t brush and floss well. That leftover food feeds bacteria that create bad smells.
- Dry Mouth: Saliva helps wash away food and bacteria. When your mouth is dry, bacteria can grow quickly and cause bad breath.
- Gum Disease: Also called periodontal disease, this condition starts when plaque builds up on your teeth and under your gums. The bacteria in plaque can cause infections and bad odor.
- Food Choices: Foods like garlic, onions, coffee, and spicy meals can cause temporary bad breath.
- Tobacco Use: Smoking or chewing tobacco not only causes bad breath, but also increases your risk of gum disease.
- Medical Conditions: Sometimes, halitosis is caused by issues beyond your mouth, such as sinus infections, acid reflux, diabetes, or liver or kidney problems.
- Medications: Some medications can dry out your mouth or release odors as they break down in your body.
Risk Factors for Bad Breath
Some people are more likely to experience bad breath. If you have one or more of the following risk factors, you may notice bad breath more often:
- Poor dental hygiene habits
- Wearing dentures or braces that aren’t cleaned properly
- Chronic dry mouth
- A diet high in sugar or strong-smelling foods
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Certain health problems, like diabetes or sinus infections
- Not drinking enough water
Knowing your risk factors can help you take the right steps to avoid or manage bad breath.
Halitosis Treatment in Edmonton, AB
At Hermitage Dental, we take halitosis seriously. We start by doing a full exam of your mouth and asking questions about your daily habits, overall health, and any medications you take. Then, we put together a custom treatment plan to target the cause of your bad breath.
Professional Dental Cleaning
Sometimes, a good deep cleaning is all it takes to improve bad breath. If plaque and tartar have built up on your teeth, they can trap bacteria that cause a strong smell. During a professional dental cleaning, our dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and around your gums. This helps eliminate odor-causing bacteria and lowers your risk of gum disease.
Treating Gum Disease
Gum disease is one of the most common causes of halitosis. If we find signs of gum disease, we may recommend a treatment called scaling and root planing. This is a special type of cleaning that removes bacteria and tartar from below your gum line. It also smooths the roots of your teeth so your gums can heal and reattach properly. Treating gum disease can make a big difference in reducing bad breath.
Saliva Boosters for Dry Mouth
Saliva is important because it helps wash away food particles and bacteria. If you have dry mouth, those bacteria can grow more easily and cause bad breath. We might suggest sugar-free gum or special mouth rinses that help boost saliva flow. Sometimes, we may recommend a prescription medication that encourages your body to make more saliva.
Better Oral Hygiene Habits
If your brushing or flossing routine needs a little help, we’ll guide you through the right steps. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. We’ll also remind you to brush your tongue. Many people forget, but your tongue can hold a lot of bacteria. We may recommend a special antibacterial mouthwash to help reduce the germs that cause bad breath.
Fixing Dental Problems
Sometimes, bad breath is caused by a dental issue like a cavity, a cracked filling, or an infected tooth. These problems can trap food and bacteria in hard-to-reach places. If we find anything like this, we may suggest a filling, crown, or another type of restorative treatment to fix the issue and stop the smell.
Referral to Your Family Doctor
If we’ve ruled out all dental causes and your bad breath is still a problem, we may suggest that you visit your doctor. Some health problems outside your mouth like such as sinus infections, acid reflux, diabetes, or liver issues can also cause bad breath. In these cases, your doctor can help you find the right treatment.
Steps to Prevent Bad Breath
Once we treat chronic halitosis in our Edmonton, AB office, we want to help you keep it from coming back. You can prevent bad breath in several ways to keep your mouth feeling fresh:
Brush and Floss Every Day
We recommend that you brush your teeth and gums once in the morning and once before bed. Brushing helps remove food particles and plaque that can lead to bad breath.
Don’t forget to brush your tongue! Bacteria live on the surface of your tongue, especially toward the back. Gently brushing your tongue with your toothbrush or using a tongue scraper can remove those odor-causing germs.
You should also floss before you brush. Flossing removes food and plaque from between your teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach.
Use Mouthwash
Mouthwash can make your mouth feel fresh and help kill the bacteria that cause bad breath. We can recommend a mouthwash that works best for your needs. Some mouthwashes are made for dry mouth, while others help with gum health or fight bacteria.
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking water helps wash away leftover food particles and bacteria. It also keeps your mouth from getting too dry.
Dry mouth is a common cause of bad breath, so staying hydrated is a simple way to keep your breath fresh. If your mouth often feels dry, we may have more tips or treatments to help.
Eat a Healthy Diet
What you eat affects how your breath smells. Foods that are sugary, sticky, or highly processed can lead to more plaque and bacteria in your mouth. These foods can make your breath smell worse.
Try to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Crunchy foods like apples, carrots, and celery help clean your teeth naturally as you chew. They also boost saliva flow, which helps wash away bacteria.
Also, try to limit foods like garlic and onions. While healthy, they can cause strong breath odors that stick around even after you brush.
Avoid Tobacco Products
If you smoke or use chewing tobacco, it’s time to think about quitting. Tobacco not only stains your teeth and harms your gums but also dries out your mouth and causes bad breath.
Stopping tobacco use can make a huge difference in your breath, smile, and overall health. If you need help quitting, talk to us or your family doctor for support and resources.
Clean Dental Appliances Daily
Do you wear dentures, a retainer, or a nightguard? If these appliances aren’t cleaned properly, they can collect bacteria. Make sure to rinse and brush them every day and follow the cleaning instructions we give you. Keeping your dental appliances clean helps protect your mouth from bacteria and keeps your breath smelling fresh.
Schedule an Appointment
Seeing us at Hermitage Dental for regular checkups and cleanings is key to keeping your breath fresh. At your appointment, we can check for early signs of gum disease, tooth decay, or other issues that might cause bad breath.
Call Hermitage Dental to treat bad breath in Edmonton, AB at 587-806-4168. You can also request an appointment online. Our dentists can give you personalized tips and answer any questions you have about your oral health.