4170 State Street
Saginaw, MI 48603
989-792-7461
Archive:
Tags
- oral health (25)
- tooth decay (11)
- dental health tips (2)
- oral hygiene (12)
- bad breath (2)
- common symptoms (6)
- dental hygiene (2)
- cosmetic dentistry (15)
- veneers (6)
- crowns (3)
- smile makeover (7)
- teeth whitening (4)
- celebrity smiles (6)
- periodontal (gum) disease (1)
- oral cancer (2)
- sports dentistry (3)
- bonding (2)
- dental injuries (4)
- dental emergencies (3)
- pediatric dentistry (6)
- fun dental facts (3)
- sealants (1)
- dry mouth (1)
- oral piercings (1)
- age one dental visit (1)
- first dental appointment (1)
- laser dentistry (3)
- thumb sucking (2)
- dental implants (8)
- tooth decay quiz (1)
- tooth colored fillings (3)
- fillings (2)
- chewing gum (1)
- xylitol (1)
- replacing teeth (1)
- missing tooth (1)
- dental implant (2)
- mouthguards (2)
- chipped tooth (2)
- nutrition (1)
- snoring and sleep apnea (1)
- sedation dentistry (2)
- oral sedation (2)
- sleep apnea (1)
- snoring (1)
- sleep (1)
- power bleaching (1)
- dental anxiety (1)
- gum recession (1)
- dental injury (1)
- teeth grinding (1)
- night guards (1)
- loose dentures (2)
- dentures (2)
- overdenture (2)
- sinus surgery (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- pregnancy (1)
- tooth wear (1)
- sensitive teeth (1)
- brushing teeth (1)
- dental fillings (1)
Categories:
DR. BONE'S BLOG
Posts for tag: bad breath
If you have ever had halitosis (bad breath), you know it can cause you to feel self-conscious and embarrassed. And while the odor is typically a primary concern, determining what is causing it is a task we can assist you with resolving. This is especially true when you experience bad breath outside of those times when you've just consumed pungent foods and drinks such as coffee, garlic or raw onions. For example, it is quite a different scenario to have family members, friends, co-workers or even total strangers consistently complaining or using body language to denote your bad breath. If the later best describes your situation — and be honest with yourself — then you need a thorough dental exam to discover the ultimate cause (or causes) of your halitosis. This is especially important because so many people are unaware that there can be numerous oral and/or general health concerns triggering their bad breath.
Most unpleasant mouth odors arise from the more than 600 types of bacteria found in the average mouth, with several dozens of these bacteria being the primary culprits for producing foul odors. And while food particles left between teeth can be key contributors to bad breath, the tongue or more specifically, the back of the tongue, is the most common location. Dry mouth is another cause for bad breath, as evident by the dreaded morning breath we all experience from mouth breathing as we sleep. Bad breath is also caused by certain medical conditions such as liver disease, lung infections, diabetes, kidney infections or failure and cancer.
The good news is that we can work with you to develop an effective treatment for your bad breath. And if necessary, we can work with your physician on a total treatment plan should your condition be due to health conditions outside your mouth. However, if your bad breath originates in your mouth, we may recommend any or all of the following to return your mouth to optimal oral health:
- Oral hygiene instruction to learn the proper ways to brush, floss, scrape your tongue and use mouthwashes
- Denture hygiene instruction for proper cleaning and maintenance of both full and partial dentures and bridgework
- Periodontal (gum) therapy that includes professionally cleaning your teeth (scaling), smoothing your teeth's root surfaces (root planning) and possible antibiotic therapy
- Removal of tooth decay where large, open cavities (caries) are present
- Repair of broken fillings
- Removal of wisdom teeth (third molars) with gum flaps
- Treatment of yeast infections (candidasis)
To learn more about the causes and treatments for halitosis, read the Dear Doctor article, “Bad Breath — More Than Just Embarrassing.”
Ready To Take The Next Step?
If you want to address your own concerns with bad breath, contact us today to schedule a consultation for an examination and treatment plan. You will find yourself smiling and laughing more once you are confident you have a clean, healthy mouth.
Considering that over 90 million Americans suffer from chronic bad breath and everyone else has dealt with some form of it at one time or another, we want to address some common causes and cures so you are prepared if it happens to you.
What are the most common causes of bad breath?
Halitosis or bad breath most often occurs when you have poor oral hygiene and/or routinely consume odorous foods and drinks. In fact, 90% percent of mouth odors come from the food you eat or bacteria thatâs already there, according to the American Dental Association. Other causes for halitosis include:
- Excessive bacterial growth in the mouth and especially on the tongue
- Known and characteristically odor producing foods and drinks such as onions, garlic, coffee, tobacco and alcohol products
- Diabetes and diseases of the liver and kidneys
- A poorly hydrated body (and mouth) from not drinking enough water everyday
What should I do if I feel (or people tell me) I have chronic bad breath?
Contact us to schedule an appointment for a proper diagnosis and plan of action for returning your mouth to optimal health.
What are some tips I can do to prevent occasional bad breath?
In most cases, bad breath is totally preventable when you follow the tips below:
- Brush your teeth in the morning and at bedtime using a fluoride toothpaste and a proper (and gentle) brushing technique.
- Floss your teeth at least once a day.
- Clean your tongue after brushing your teeth with either a scraping tool you can purchase at a drug or discount store or by gently brushing it with your toothbrush.
- Keep your mouth moist by drinking plenty of water during the day.
- Be prepared by having some mouth cleaning tools (floss, a toothbrush, toothpaste or some sugar free gum) handy to freshen your mouth after consuming bad smelling foods, drinks or using tobacco or alcohol.
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables to increase saliva production in your mouth and help remove food particles that can lodge between teeth.
- Maintain regular dental check-ups.
Want to learn more?
Contact us today to discuss your questions or to schedule an appointment. You can also learn more about halitosis by reading the Dear Doctor article, “Bad Breath — More than Just Embarrassing.”