Treating Bad Breath Arlington Heights
Helping You Say Hello to a Fresh Smile
Living with gum disease can cause many symptoms to form, one of which is chronic bad breath. Also known as halitosis, it can cause you to feel embarrassed when surrounded by others, and no amount of brushing, mints, or chewing gum can eradicate the smell. At Westgate Dental Care, our team of experts can use advanced solutions and treatment options to remove the underlying cause so that you can feel confident once again. Call us today if you need help getting rid of bad breath.
Why Choose Westgate Dental Care for Treating Bad Breath?
- Multiple Gum Disease Treatment Options for Dental Patients
- We Are In-Network with Many Dental Insurance Plans
- Team of Qualified Dentists with Advanced Training & Experience
What is Halitosis?
Halitosis is the clinical term used by dental professionals when referring to chronic bad breath. Affecting more than 90 million people, it most commonly occurs because of poor oral hygiene and is a symptom of gum disease. When choosing to neglect regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing, your mouth can begin to develop bad bacteria that burrow into your teeth, gums, and other small areas. As a result, sulfur compounds form that result in bad breath.
Fortunately, it can be treated alongside advanced gum disease with the help of our trusted professionals at Westgate Dental Care.
Causes of Chronic Bad Breath
While you might think eating odorous foods, like garlic or onions, is the main reason for bad breath, it is only one. Not to mention, these smells can be removed with regular brushing, gum chewing, or mints. Halitosis, however, is primarily caused by poor oral hygiene as well as:
- Dry mouth
- An oral infection
- Certain medications that cause dry mouth or a metallic taste in your mouth
- Digestive diseases (i.e., GERD, IBS, constipation, IBD, liver or kidney disease, etc.)
- Tonsillitis
How is Bad Breath Treated?
The good news is that living with halitosis doesn’t have to be a permanent reality. Instead, our team can implement effective strategies to eliminate harmful bacteria so that you can feel confident once again in the way your smile looks and feels, and how your breath smells.
A member of our team will begin by examining your mouth using digital imaging and a visual evaluation to determine the underlying cause. This could be a medical problem or another lifestyle habit that requires change (i.e., smoking). Based on our findings, we will suggest:
- Improving your oral hygiene routine at home. You will need to brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss at least once, and use a tongue scraper to remove any bacteria on its surface.
- Use an antimicrobial mouthwash to flush out any remaining bacteria so that your mouth feels (and smells) fresh.
- Drink lots of water and/or chew sugar-free gum to encourage regular saliva production to prevent dry mouth.
- Use professional products to help improve your oral health and breath.
Tips to Improve Bad Breath
When faced with chronic bad breath, you’ll need to make some lifestyle changes to avoid embarrassment. It may take time for your symptoms to improve but with time and a diligent mindset, you will begin to notice a dramatic difference.
The most effective ways to improve bad breath include:
- Practicing good oral hygiene at home.
- Remembering to use a tongue scraper when performing your morning and nighttime dental care routine.
- Keeping prosthetics (i.e., dentures, dental bridges, etc.) clean.
- Taking proper care of any sleep apnea appliances or other oral appliances (i.e., nightguards, retainers) by making sure they are cleaned properly each day.
- Chewing sugar-free gum to remove food particles and encourage fresh breath.
- Drinking water to stay hydrated and keep salivary glands working properly.
