Halitosis – What Is It and What to Do About It

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young woman checking her breath with her hand

Did you know that halitosis (bad breath) is the third leading cause for people seeking dental treatment and care in the world? When it comes to their dental and oral health, people are more concerned about what causes bad breath and how to treat it than they are about almost anything else (with the noted exceptions of tooth decay and gum disease). So why are we so concerned about our breath?

 

When you wake up in the morning, before you brush your teeth, you don’t expect your breath to be the freshest. However, with good dental and oral hygiene habits, you shouldn’t have to worry about your breath smelling bad throughout the day…especially if you haven’t eaten any garlic or raw onions with your lunch. With halitosis, though, that’s not the case.

 

When you suffer from this condition, you can chew gum, pop breath mints, and be as careful as you can about your diet, but your breath can still ruin your chances at your next big interview. So what causes this bad breath, and how can you treat it?

 

Bad Breath is Usually Related to Oral Health

 

To properly treat halitosis, you must first know what’s causing it. In most cases, the underlying problem has to do with your dental and/or oral health. Tooth decay and gingivitis can cause your breath to smell rank, as can a coating of plaque, food, and/or bacteria on your tongue, as well as pieces of food stuck to your tonsils (if you still have them).

 

If you want to know what’s causing your bad breath and how to treat it, and you haven’t been to a dentist in some time, it’s time to make an appointment. Going to a reputable dentist in Burlington like the ones at Dental Health Group can help you out immensely. Your dentist can examine your mouth and determine if you have cavities or gum disease and if these things are causing or adding to your halitosis issue.

 

If this is the case, your dentist will recommend regular cleanings and will discuss your dental and oral hygiene habits with you. He or she may recommend a different mouthwash, flossing more regularly, and/or buying a new toothbrush or changing your brushing technique. If your halitosis is caused by poor dental or oral health, getting proper dental care from your dentist and maintaining good dental hygiene should fix the problem.

 

Other Causes and Treatments

 

All that said, some cases of halitosis are related to your internal problems, rather than dental health problems. If you are diabetic or pre-diabetic or if you have chronic acid reflux, your bad breath could be related to these issues. These can also affect your dental health, though, so talk to your doctor about correcting them and then visit your dentist to ensure you’re doing everything you need to keep your teeth healthy and your breath fresh.


Now that you know what causes bad breath and how to treat it, you should never have to worry about your breath ruining your day again. Visit a dentist you trust today and get your breath minty fresh.

Coping with bad breath? Your dentist can help

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Bad Breath

Do you find yourself chewing gum or obsessively popping breath mints throughout the day to keep your sour breath at bay? Bad breath—or halitosis—can be an embarrassing and annoying condition, especially when it’s chronic. If you’re concerned about your bad breath and are worried that it’s affecting your social or work life, it may be time to book an appointment with your dentist.

Regular dental check-ups allow your dentist to monitor your oral health and identify conditions that may cause bad breath. These include gum disease, which results from a build-up of plaque, and dry mouth, which can arise when the production of saliva in your mouth decreases, either due to problems with salivary glands or as a side effect of some medications. When saliva production is compromised, food particles are not washed away completely, and you may end up with bad breath.

Your dentist will also work with you to identify other factors that may be contributing to your halitosis. An obvious one is smoking, which not only leads to bad breath, but can also irritate your gums, putting you at greater risk for gum disease. Eating strong foods, such as garlic or onions, may also contribute to bad breath.

Of course, making sure you’re taking good care of your teeth and gums and maintaining optimal oral hygiene is crucial to keeping bad breath at bay. This means brushing twice a day, and flossing daily to remove food particles from between your teeth. And don’t forget to brush your tongue, too, since it can harbour bacteria that may lead to bad breath.

Don’t be embarrassed… talk to your dentist on your next visit!

Good News For Bad Breath!

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Plaque and food debris trapped between your teeth are the number one source of bad breath. The solution is simple – keep your teeth clean.

Bad breath is a warning sign for gum disease, which attacks the tissue around the jawbone, resulting in wobbly teeth. Dental treatment for these conditions and excellent brushing and flossing techniques can get rid of bad breath and save your teeth!