Halitosis
What is halitosis?
Halitosis is a dental term for chronic bad breath, a condition that’s no fun to deal with. Having bad breath all the time can negatively impact your self-esteem and keep you from thriving in your social life.
Having “morning breath” or smelly breath after eating garlic or tuna is one thing. However, if you’re noticing that your breath smells all day, that may be a sign of something more serious that could be affecting your oral health. The team at Livingston Dental Arts excels at helping patients address halitosis and reap the benefits of fresh, healthy-smelling breath.
What causes halitosis?
The most common root cause of halitosis is poor oral hygiene. If you don’t dedicate yourself to proper brushing and flossing practices, you can develop dental problems that lead to bad breath bacteria accumulating in pockets inside your mouth.
Now, there are quick fixes to halitosis, including mints and mouthwash. But what if that’s not improving your condition? It’s important to identify the cause.
There are a variety of potential causes for halitosis, including:
- Cavities
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
- Dry mouth
- Tobacco use
Other chronic conditions, such as diabetes or gastric reflux, can also lead to halitosis. The key to treating it properly is identifying the root cause of your halitosis and addressing it. That’s where the team at Livingston Dental Arts comes in.
How is halitosis treated?
The key to treating halitosis is figuring out what exactly is causing it. In most cases, the team at Livingston Dental Arts will evaluate your oral hygiene practices and lifestyle habits to see what might be causing your bad breath.
They may recommend lifestyle modifications such as improved nutrition habits, quitting tobacco use, and better oral hygiene. Also, you may need specific treatment for cavities or gum diseases, such as fillings or deep dental cleaning, to begin to reverse the effects of your halitosis.
Over time, they’ll evaluate how changes to your daily routine influence your halitosis. Together, you and your dentist will be able to see if your treatment plan is working.
If you’re noticing signs of halitosis and think it’s time to see a professional about it, call Livingston Dental Arts.
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