Anyone can be affected by bad breath, also known as halitosis. It can be embarrassing but the good news is that it's usually treatable!
There are many possible causes of bad breath. Among them are tooth decay, periodontal (gum) disease, dry mouth (xerostemia), tobacco use, certain foods and illness. It can also be a side effect of some types of medications. Sometimes bad breath is a symptom of a more serious condition such as diabetes, sinusitis or a liver ailment.
Bad breath usually begins when bacteria breaks down food debris in your mouth. The bacteria that cause bad breath require an oxygen-free environment to survive, so they are usually found between your teeth and within the grooves of your tongue. As the bacteria break down the food debris they release volatile sulfur compounds. These compounds produce the bad breath.
The key to avoiding bad breath is eliminating it at its source. The first thing you can do is to come see us for a professional cleaning so that we can thoroughly remove the plaque and tartar where odor-causing bacteria thrive. We will show you how to brush and floss properly, and we can also provide you with a tongue scraper and special antibacterial rinse if necessary.