Could You Use Help With Your Bad Breath?

We’ve all done it at one time or another. You have breathed into your hand to try to smell your own breath.

Whether you were getting ready for a date or a business meeting, you didn’t want to show up with foul-smelling breath.

You already may know some the reasons that you could have bad breath, but we also want you to know what to do if you are suffering from chronic bad breath or halitosis.

We have helped many patients alleviate this problem at our dentist office in Phoenix. Our staff at Dental Implants and Periodontology Of Arizona is more than ready to assist you. Just give us a call.

Temporary Bad Breath

Bad breath does not have to be a permanent condition.

Certain foods, like garlic and onion, can affect the smell of your breath as long as they remain in your body. Unless you eat more, those smells will eventually go away.

Another cause of bad breath can be dental hygiene. Anyone who has ever forgotten to brush his or her teeth has realized that their breath may not smell as fresh as they intended.

Often people deal with this by eating a breath mint or chewing some gums. These are temporary fixes. Forgetting to brush once in a blue moon is not likely to lead to long-term problems with your breath.

Chronic Bad Breath

Neglecting your oral hygiene can lead to chronic bad breath.

When you do not brush or floss daily, then you are rolling out a welcome mat for bacteria for all intents and purposes. Bacteria can lead to gum disease or tooth decay, which can lead to halitosis. (More on this in a moment.)

Smoking and using chew tobacco also can cause leave your breath much worse for wear. Part of the reason is because they can dull your taste buds, and part of the reason is they can increase your risk for gum disease.

Gum Disease And Bad Breath

We mentioned earlier that bacteria are the cause of gum disease. If you do not brush and floss like you should, then you are not removing bacteria or the plaque that it builds.

Over time, this bacteria will infect your gum tissue. In the early stages, this will make your gums bleed and look red and swollen.

If you don’t treat the problem at this point, it will turn into periodontitis. This form of gum disease includes problems like gum recessions, pocket formations within your gums, and loose teeth.

It also can leave you with a constant bad taste in your mouth or persistent bad breath.

The bacteria that are causing your gum disease are expelling waste, too. As the bacteria multiplies, so does the waste they produce. Over time, that will affect the odor of your breath.

Getting Rid Of Bad Breath

If you have become aware of your bad breath — perhaps from noticing the reactions of other people when you speak or perhaps because you know some particularly blunt people — then we welcome you to come to see us.

We will start by checking for signs and symptoms of periodontal disease. As a periodontology practice, gum health is a big part of what we do. You won’t be surprised to know that we have several ways we can help treat gum disease.

One tool we use is our dental endoscope. This is a small camera that allows us to get a close-up look of your gums so we can more accurately identify where it is damaging your gum tissue.

This allows us to provide more effective treatment by more precisely targeting the areas of your mouth that are infected. In many cases, we can provide treatment without surgery (although surgery may be necessary in some cases).

Prevention

Once we have treated your gum disease, it’s important that you practice good preventive habits.

We can provide education on the proper ways to brush and floss your teeth. One thing that many people neglect is brushing their tongues. This should be part of your oral hygiene routine.

We also may recommend special antibacterial mouthrinses to further reduce your risk of your halitosis returning.

For patients who have suffered chronic bad breath, it may be a good idea to return for routine cleanings every three months to ensure everything remains under control.

Quit Feeling Embarrassed

If you have bad breath, it can create some awkward social interactions for you and for other people. Just know that the team at Dental Implants and Periodontology Of Arizona is here to help however we can.

Our goal is to eliminate the cause of your halitosis and to show you how you can keep it from returning. To schedule an appointment, fill out our online form or call 602-842-6841 to reach our dentist office in Phoenix.

The only thing you have to lose is your bad breath.