Chronic halitosis is a common malady. In fact, over 50 million Americans suffer from it. Changing your oral hygiene habits might clear it up, and proper brushing and flossing techniques, along with brushing the back of your tongue, can help. However, eliminating the problem depends on the cause.
Good oral hygiene can eliminate halitosis if it is the cause of the problem. Unfortunately, there are other causes that require more than brushing or flossing your teeth adequately to cure bad breath. Treatment for this condition depends on the source. A badly decayed tooth can cause halitosis as can infected gums. In these situations, removing the infection will be necessary in order to remove the smell. A filling, root canal therapy or tooth extraction may be needed. In the case of gum disease, periodontal therapy will be required to remedy the condition.
Halitosis is not always caused by a dental condition. On occasion, it can be one of the side effects of gastric problems. If Dr. Wang cannot find an oral cause for your bad breath, he will recommend that you see your primary care physician. Breath odor can be a sign of a serious health condition, so it is important that you receive follow up care if the problem is not related to your mouth.
Treatment for Bad Breath
When halitosis is caused by volatile sulfur compounds on the back of the tongue, cleaning the tongue will help eliminate the odor. The odor is caused when proteins are being broken down by bacteria in the mouth. These tend to build up on the back of the tongue. You can use your toothbrush or get a device designed specifically for cleaning the tongue.
When the foul odor is caused by infection in the teeth or gums, an examination will identify the exact cause. If a tooth is decayed, treatment will depend on the extent of the decay. Some cavities may only need to be cleaned out and filled, while more severe cases will require root canal therapy or extraction.
In the case of periodontal disease, Dr. Wang will make recommendations based on the extent of the disease. Antibiotics could be required to stop an infection, and surgery may be necessary to remove dead or damaged gum tissue.
When friends and family constantly complain about your breath, contact Engineered Smiles today to schedule your appointment. We will identify the problem and help you get back to good oral health.
