If you find yourself dealing with chronic bad breath, also known as halitosis, you aren’t alone. Halitosis may be found in as many as one in four adults across the United States. While this is a common ailment, that doesn’t make it any easier for individuals to deal with. If you are tired of this chronic bad breath, you may turn to your dentist for halitosis treatment.
But is there anything your dentist can do to help you tackle this problem? At Mills River Family Dental, we understand how difficult it can be to deal with bad breath that just won’t quit. If you are looking for reliable halitosis treatment but aren’t sure how your dental team can help, keep reading.
What is Halitosis?
Halitosis is also often referred to as bad breath. While some changes in your breath throughout the day are not uncommon, halitosis may also be the result of your lifestyle, medication use, and other habits. For many individuals, your bad breath is resolved by brushing and flossing. However, for some individuals, it may be far more difficult to rid yourself of this bad breath, and you may turn to your dentist for halitosis treatment.
Halitosis Treatment Your Dentist May Provide
When you go to your dentist for halitosis treatment, there are several options they may recommend to help alleviate this bad breath. Some of the most common treatments for halitosis include the following.
Dental Cleanings
If you are looking for reliable halitosis treatment, you might want to consider scheduling regular dental cleanings. Often, recurring or difficult-to-treat bad breath is the result of plaque and bacteria development in your mouth. By scheduling regular dental cleanings, your dental team can help you slowly chip away at this growth and help you maintain fresher breath.
Root Planing and Scaling
If your plaque and tartar development has become more severe, root planing and scaling may be a more reliable halitosis treatment option than standard cleanings. This service is often meant for those with more severe periodontal disease and removes tough plaque and tartar beneath the gum line. This service should help your gums heal and improve your breath.
Fluoride Treatment
One key ingredient for treating halitosis is fluoride. However, the amount of fluoride in your home treatments isn’t quite enough to tackle your bad breath on its own. Instead, you should turn to your dentist for professional fluoride treatments to help you address your halitosis. You may need to get this halitosis treatment once every three to six months to notice a significant difference in your breath.
Replace Fillings
If you have damaged dental fillings in your mouth, they may be responsible for your bad breath. Because your fillings are responsible for protecting your teeth from further decay, broken fillings may allow the decay to spread. If your filling is damaged, seeking immediate dental attention for your damaged filling should help you prevent any additional decay from spreading and persistent bad breath.
What You Can Do to Help Treat Halitosis
While there a several ways for your dentist can help you, professional halitosis treatment isn’t the only way to address this. There are several things you can do from home to assist with your halitosis treatment. If you are dealing with persistent bad breath, ensure you are doing the following.
Regular Brushing and Flossing
Regular brushing and flossing is the most effective first step in preventing halitosis. You should brush at least twice a day and floss once a day to ensure your mouth is cleaned properly. However, you may also want to incorporate mid-day brushing into your routine as well if you notice your breath is especially bad after a meal.
Replace Your Old Toothbrush
If it has been a while since you’ve replaced your old toothbrush, this may be playing a role in your bad breath. Your toothbrush should be replaced once every three to four months. If you aren’t sure how long it has been since you last replaced your toothbrush or you know it’s been longer than four months, now might be the best time to make the swap.
Drink Plenty of Water
Some people experience halitosis as a result of a dry mouth. Whether you have chronic dry mouth or it is the result of a new medication, you should ensure you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day to keep your breath fresh. Drinking water can wash away bacteria that may be causing bad breath. You may also want to talk to your dentist about over-the-counter saliva substitutes to help.
Stop Smoking
The use of tobacco products is tied to chronic bad breath, which makes now the perfect time to quit. Tobacco can dry out your mouth, leading to bad breath which may linger even after you’ve brushed your teeth. If you have smoked for quite some time and are experiencing chronic bad breath, it may be time to let the old habit die in order to begin restoring the health of your mouth and the smell of your breath.
Reliable Dental Treatment in Mills River, North Carolina
Whether you are looking for halitosis treatment or dental cleanings, having a trustworthy dental team behind, like our team at Mills River Family Dental, is a necessary first step. At Mills River Family Dental, our team has helped patients across the Mills River, NC, area and beyond achieve their healthiest, most beautiful smiles, and we’re confident that we can do the same for you.
From teeth whitening and veneers to root canals, tooth extractions, and much more, our team provides all of the services you need to reach your best smile. If you want to speak to a member of our team about potential halitosis treatments or other services we provide, don’t hesitate to contact us today.