What can my dentist do to cure bad breath?
Bad breath, or halitosis, is a symptom of an underlying condition. Your dentist can help to diagnose some of these oral conditions that cause bad breath:
- Food stuck between teeth
- Periodontal (gum) disease
- Deep cavities
- Bacteria on the tongue or below the gumline
- Abcesses (infections)
- Oral lesions caused by viruses
Other, less common causes of bad breath can potentially be rectified by a change in habits or with the assistance of your family doctor:
- Tonsilitis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) resulting in regurgitation
- Stress/anxiety
- Smoking or alcohol
- Medications
What are some of the things I can try at home to cure bad breath?
Chronic halitosis is not well understood, so effective self-treatments are not always easy to find. Here are a few of the more commonly suggested strategies:
- Gently cleaning the tongue surface twice daily
- Eating a healthy breakfast
- Chewing sugarless gum
- Gargling with an effective mouthwash
- Maintaining proper oral hygiene
