Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is something that most people will experience at some stage in their lives, and one of the most common reasons people seek out a dentist. People experiencing bad breath will often feel embarrassed and try to hide it by sucking on mints or chewing gum constantly, but that doesn’t really solve the problem. Luckily, treatment is usually simple and effective.

 

While bad breath is the most common symptom, it often goes hand in hand with other symptom such as a white/brown coating on the tongue, dry mouth, pain or burning in the tongue, a sour, bitter or metallic taste, thick saliva, or a bad taste, which can be uncomfortable on top of the bad smell. Bad breath is primarily related to an abundance of sulphur-producing bacteria found on the tongue and throat which create an unpleasant smell.

Bad Breath | Kedron Family Dental

There are several things that can contribute to bad breath.  These can include but are not limited to:

  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Gum disease
  • Tooth decay (even under old fillings or crowns)
  • Infections in the teeth or gums
  • Chronic dry mouth (caused by medication, dehydration, mouth breathing, smoking etc.)
  • An imbalance in normal oral bacterial/fungal levels (e.g. excessive fungal growth after courses of antibiotics.)

As there are so many causes for bad breath, treatment will usually be as simple as identifying the cause and removing it.  This might include anything from a professional clean and oral hygiene instruction, to dental treatment, to the use of gels, creams, or ointments, and in some cases short term medication that will help restore a balance.

We understand that bad breath is unpleasant for you and the people around you, so speak with your dentist about getting it under control so you can get back to enjoying life without having to worry!

If you have bad breath that you want to get on top of, or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on (07) 3379 1328