Anxiety-Free Dental Care in
Chicago, Illinois Since 2001
Bad breath (halitosis) can be embarrassing, and it can sometimes be difficult to find the root of the problem. If you’ve been covering up with mints and gum, it’s worth looking into fixing the cause of the problem, as they can range from mild to severe. Our dentist in Chicago, IL, explains more here.
There are a few causes of bad breath to consider, most of which are treatable, including:
Poor dental hygiene. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, bacteria and plaque grow on your teeth and around your gums. Plaque traps pieces of food and can lead to bad breath.
Cavities or decay. Decay, especially extensive decay, can cause bad breath.
Tonsil stones. If you still have your tonsils, you may have had tonsil stones before. Bits of food get stuck in crevices in your tonsils (crypts) and remain there until they are pushed out.
Periodontal disease. The bacteria associated with periodontal disease can cause bad breath.
Overgrowth of bacteria. Yeast or other bacterial infections can be a cause as well.
Most treatments are easy to manage. Increase frequency of brushing and flossing to keep away bacteria and plaque, have any cavities and decay removed, and have periodontal disease treated by our dentist. If you have deep periodontal cleaning, antibacterial mouthwash may be prescribed during your treatment. If you have tonsil stones, consider getting a water pick to wash them out, or gargle with warm saltwater.
Other steps to fresher breath include quitting smoking and staying properly hydrated.
Regular cleanings and dental checkups can help prevent the causes of halitosis. It’s also important to keep in mind that there are non-dental causes of bad breath, some of which can be serious, like liver problems. If your bad breath doesn’t improve with the above methods, talk to your doctor.
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to dentistry, feel free to contact Dente Complete Dentistry, with a convenient dental office in Chicago by calling 773.295.0562 or by clicking here.
