How your dentist in City of London can treat bad breath

Halitosis, more commonly known as bad breath, is a widespread dental issue that affects people of all ages for a variety of reasons. In most cases, bad breath is caused by eating foods such as garlic or onions and this can be easily dealt with by brushing your teeth after eating. Unfortunately, in the case of halitosis which is a chronic form of bad breath that does not go away, the causes can sometimes be out of your control and require special treatment from your dentist in City of London. Treatment for bad breath is readily available, with each being dependent on the primary cause.

What causes bad breath?

The most common cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene; in order for your breath to smell pleasant, it is essential that you regularly brush and floss your teeth and attend consistent appointments with your dentist in City of London for thorough cleans. When these steps are avoided or not carried out properly, you open the door to the production of harmful bacteria in your mouth which are responsible for creating a foul odour. A lot of the time, other conditions can contribute to bad breath; these include dry mouth syndrome which is a oral condition in which the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva which is responsible for washing your mouth of food residue. This causes the food particles to remain in the crevices of your teeth and develop a bad smell. Suffering from acid reflux can also cause bad breath as stomach acid leaks back into your oesophagus and mouth. Other dental diseases such as gum disease, trench mouth and gingivitis are leading causes of bad breath. Sometimes, people suffering with liver or kidney disease may find their breath smells due to an inability to filter out toxins from the body.

What are the symptoms of bad breath?

Unlike most dental issues, bad breath does not come with many symptoms, however it is obvious when you are suffering with it due to the foul smell that emanates from your mouth. This can have a negative impact on your confidence and make you want to avoid speaking to people. Fortunately, at Cannon Street Dental Centre, we can offer you a number of treatments to manage the symptoms.

How is bad breath treated?

The treatment for bad breath usually depends on the cause of the issue, and as there are many possible causes, your dentist in City of London will have to do a thorough check of your mouth to identify what is causing the bad breath. The check will consist of a physical examination to determine whether you present any signs of tooth decay, gum disease or tonsil stones.

It could be that you are suffering with bad breath due to a lack of good oral hygiene; if this is the case then the treatment is fairly straightforward and will consist of more regular and thorough brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, rinsing your mouth with an oral mouthwash and flossing after meals. Additionally, you can treat bad breath by keeping up to date with your dental and hygiene appointments as dental professionals can clean your teeth thoroughly of any food residues or plaque and tartar build up. However, if the cause of your bad breath is due to a separate dental issue, your dentist may need to address the issue directly in order for the symptom to go away.