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Halistosis treatment in general dentistry

Posted on 7/18/2022 by Nancy Shiba DDS

Halitosis, commonly referred to as bad breath, is an oral condition caused when bacteria in the mouth degrade or eat away organic substances like food remains in the mouth and produce acids that coat the tongue surface that have an offensive smell. An unpleasant odor, especially in the morning, is caused by a dry mouth during the night due to minimized saliva production. Saliva, drinking water, and a good dental routine help keep bad breath away; however, persistent halitosis should be reported back to the dentist for a diagnosis. It might be difficult to treat the disease without finding out the cause, as it is often a symptom of an underlying condition.

Treating halitosis

Halitosis may be caused by cavities, dry mouth, bad oral hygiene, or certain medical conditions. It is important to examine the oral cavity to determine the cause of the bad odor to ensure a precise treatment plan is drafted. This is usually the first step in the treatment procedure.

Treatment of bad breath includes a deep and thorough cleaning of the gums, gum pockets, teeth, and tongue to rid the mouth of bacteria. Routine dental brushing should be accompanied by professional dental cleaning to eliminate plaque, tartar, and bacteria. Professional cleaning also involves periodontal maintenance cleaning. Patients with periodontitis or gum disease are more susceptible to halitosis; therefore, prophylaxis cleaning is important to keep the bad breath at bay.

Dental cavities may cause halitosis, so to treat bad breath, a dentist will have to treat the cavities. Dental fillings or root canals prevent the progression of cavities and, therefore, bad breath. Some conditions like dry mouth are solved by increasing saliva flow by using rinses and sprays or stopping the certain medication and lifestyle habits like tobacco use. Normally, your dentist will list some recommendations for your dental health to ensure you prevent or treat bad breath.

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