Having bad breath can be embarrassing and upsetting. Perhaps you’ve tried everything possible, from brushing and flossing your teeth to chewing mint, but your bad breath still persists. If this sounds like you, you may be dealing with halitosis, and it may indicate an underlying dental or medical issue, making it important to see your dentist and seek professional care.
At With U Dental, we have helped countless patients overcome bad breath with quality dental solutions and meticulous planning. It’s essential to communicate openly with your dentist about your concerns regarding bad breath. With our approach to dentistry, we create tailored treatments that address the root causes of your condition, reducing your risk of recurring problems and allowing for more effective results.
What Causes Bad Breath?
Also known as Halitosis, bad breath is typically caused by plaque build-up or sulphur-producing bacteria that live on the surface of your tongue and in your throat. This bacteria in your mouth can release foul-smelling gas, resulting in bad breath. In addition to that, common causes of bad breath include:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Dental issues such as periodontitis (infection around the teeth and gums)
- Dry mouth
- Dietary and lifestyle choices such as smoking
- Medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Cavities and abscesses
- Poorly fitting appliances or poorly cleaned dentures or braces where bacteria can build up.
When bad breath persists, it’s advisable to consult with our dentist. We can help identify the specific cause and recommend appropriate treatment solutions for you.
What are the Symptoms of Halitosis?
It may be difficult for you to identify on your own if you have bad breath. However, certain symptoms or indicators can help you be more aware of whether you suffer from halitosis. Signs you should look out for include:- having a white coating at the back of your tongue
- dry mouth
- a burning tongue
- constant sour, bitter metallic taste.
- build up around teeth
When Should I See a Dentist?
If you’ve tried sticking to a consistent oral hygiene routine and your bad breath isn’t improving, we recommend you pay a visit to our dentist.
When you come in for a consultation, our dentists will thoroughly assess your mouth and gums for underlying conditions that could be causing your bad breath, such as gum disease or infections. We will also ask you about any symptoms you’ve had in order to pinpoint the cause of your bad breath.
Once we have established the cause of halitosis, we will begin treatment accordingly. For example, if your bad breath results from poor oral health, plaque build-up or gum disease, our dentists will carry out professional teeth cleaning or scaling and root planning. We will also provide advice and recommendations on maintaining optimal oral hygiene.
However, if we suspect it to be related to a medical condition, we may recommend a visit to your doctor.
How Can I Stop Bad Breath?
While professional treatment can help you get rid of halitosis, it is equally important to maintain good oral hygiene through consistent routines and practices. Here are some steps you can take at home to prevent or get rid of your bad breath.
- Practise good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss once daily.
- Don’t neglect your tongue! Clean your tongue using a brush or a tongue cleaner, especially the back of your tongue, because it can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist. Water will also help wash away excess food particles and bacteria in your mouth.
- Avoid or minimise eating foods that have a strong odour (like onion and garlic).
- Try to avoid or minimise smoking and using tobacco products.
- If you wear dentures, clean them regularly to avoid bacteria accumulating on your dentures.
- Visit your dentist for regular dental checkups. We can give your mouth a deep clean, removing any plaque build-up or bacteria and detect other dental issues, if any.
- You may ask our dentist to recommend an appropriate mouthwash or toothpaste with antibacterial properties.
If none of these options works for you, we recommend scheduling a consultation with our friendly dentists at With U Dental for effective bad breath treatment.
With U Dental for Bad Breath Treatment in Hawthorn
We know that bad breath can be embarrassing. However, you should not hide it by chewing mints or gum because failing to address underlying conditions can cause the situation to worsen.
At With U Dental, we believe in a compassionate and personalised approach to dentistry. Our experienced and skilled dentists will work with you to identify the cause of your bad breath and develop a treatment plan that meets your specific needs. In addition, we have a friendly and caring team dedicated to making you feel comfortable during your treatment.
If you are struggling with bad breath, With U Dental can help.
In addition, we offer a range of other comprehensive dental services to cater to your oral health needs such as cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry, restorative dentistry, orthodontics, Children and family dentistry and much more.