Halitosis: Causes, Treatment, and What to Expect

Halitosis (bad breath) is a lot more common than you think. One in four people experiences halitosis. Bad oral hygiene is the most common cause of halitosis. By making improvements to your lifestyle and oral care routine, you can eliminate bad breath. Remember to schedule biannual visits at your Longmont dental clinic for dental cleanings and check-ups.

Diagnosis

Your Longmont dentist will determine if you have halitosis by rating your nose and breath odor on a scale. Your dentist will also examine your gums and teeth for any underlying issues.

Symptoms

The severity of halitosis depends on the cause. It is difficult to smell your own breath. Asking someone else to smell your breath would be more effective in determining the smell. However, if you are uncomfortable with another person smelling your breath, you can lick your wrist and sniff it once it dries. You will most likely have halitosis if there is an unpleasant odor. If you find that you are constantly refreshing your breath, schedule a consultation with your Longmont dentist to determine if halitosis is the cause.

Causes of Halitosis

There are various causes of halitosis, including:

Smoking
Dry mouth
Certain foods
Poor oral hygiene
Medication
Illness and diseases
Throat, mouth, and nose conditions

Treatment

Maintaining proper oral hygiene is essential to reducing cavities, bad breath, and your risk of gum disease. Specific treatments for halitosis varies depending on the cause. If your bad breath may be linked to a health condition, your Longmont dentist will refer you to a physician. However, if the cause is oral health-related, your dentist in Longmont may recommend the following:

Using fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse

Plaque buildup can cause halitosis. By using fluoride toothpaste, it can reduce the plaque buildup and bacteria in your mouth. A mouth rinse can also be used to reduce bacteria.

Treatments for gum disease

If you have gum disease, it can increase the bacteria buildup in your mouth, causing bad breath. Your Longmont dentist will give your teeth and gums a thorough cleaning and remove the bacteria.

Brushing after each meal

It’s ideal to brush your teeth after you eat to remove the bacteria and food particles. The toothpaste will also help improve your breath.

Daily Flossing

You should be flossing daily in addition to brushing. Flossing will clean the areas your toothbrush cannot reach or miss.

Scrape your tongue

Scraping your tongue can remove bacteria, which causes bad breath.

Clean your dental appliances and dentures

If you wear dentures or any dental appliances, ensure you are thoroughly cleaning them before and after each wear.

Be hydrated

Drinking water can help reduce your bad breath. Chewing sugar-free candies and gum can stimulate saliva. Avoid sugary drinks, alcohol, coffee, and tobacco.

Check your diet

Certain foods are more likely to cause bad breath, such as onions and garlic. Reducing these foods can help freshen your breath.

What to Expect

If you’re speaking to your dentist in Longmont about halitosis, you can expect a thorough evaluation of your medical history. Your dentist will ask specific questions related to your halitosis to find the root cause to recommend the most effective treatment.