What Can I Do about My Chronic Bad Breath?
Bad breath can be a stressful problem. It can also be a sign of an underlying oral health condition called halitosis. If you have chronic bad breath, gum, mints, and mouthwashes will only temporarily cover up the symptoms of halitosis. Often, periodontal disease is the root cause of bad breath. Dr. Hua Gao and Dr. Xiaomei Sui treat chronic bad breath at their Aurora, CO, dental practice, which also serves nearby Centennial and Cherry Creek.
What Causes Bad Breath?
We all experience bad breath from time to time. Often, occasional bad breath can be managed with proper oral hygiene habits. While there is no single cause of halitosis, common causes include:
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Bacteria
- Poor oral hygiene habits
- Dry mouth
- Poor diet
- Certain medical conditions
- Tobacco use
- Sinus infections
- Acid reflux disease
During your consultation at our Aurora dental practice, one of our doctors will examine your mouth and throat to determine what the cause of your halitosis is. There are certain symptoms and factors we will look for, which can include:
- Persistence and frequency of bad breath
- Oral hygiene habits
- Sediment on the tongue
- Presence of plaque and tartar
- Inflammation of the gums
- Nasil drip
Treatment Options for Chronic Bad Breath
Over-the-counter mouthwashes, chewing gum, and mints can only temporarily relieve chronic bad breath symptoms. Even therapeutic mouthwashes and frequent brushing and flossing may not fully address the symptoms of halitosis. To effectively treat halitosis, we often need to perform periodontal treatments to remove the buildup of tartar and bacteria above and below the gum line.
Our office offers laser treatments that destroy the bacteria that cause bad breath, while minimizing damage to the gum tissue.
Our skilled doctors treat the early stages of gum disease (gingivitis) through dental cleanings and bacteria removal. Advanced stages of gum disease (periodontitis) are treated through root planing and scaling. During this treatment, one of our staff members will use a special tool to remove deposits of tartar from the base of your teeth. Tartar is hardened plaque that cannot be removed with brushing alone. Root planing smooths the surface of your roots to prevent the return of bacterial infections.
Our dental office uses state-of-the-art methods to treat gum disease. We offer laser treatments that destroy bacteria while minimizing potential damage to the gum tissue. Many of our patients report that laser periodontal treatments are more comfortable than other, more traditional treatments.
Tips for Maintaining Fresh Breath
Once you have met with one of our doctors, you will know the underlying cause of your halitosis. Preventing the return of chronic bad breath may require changes in oral hygiene habits or diet. The health of your teeth and gums is critical to preventing the return of halitosis. The best way to prevent the return of bad breath is to schedule twice-a-year exams and dental cleanings at our Aurora office.
Don't Wait- Schedule Your Appointment Today
To meet with Dr. Hua Gao or Dr. Xiaomei Sui about your chronic bad breath, send our office a message or call H&M Family Dentistry at (303) 353-9611. The prevention of gum disease is always preferable to treatment. To maintain the health of your gums, we encourage you to schedule your dental cleaning and exam today.
