Bad Breath? How Your Dentist Can Fix That

Bad breath can turn a social encounter into an embarrassing situation.  Everyone has bad breath sometime in their life, but having persistent halitosis can affect everything from casual relationships to job interviews.  But, what are you supposed to do about it?  Maybe you’ve already tried every home remedy you know of, brushed your teeth and used mouthwash regularly, and stopped eating some of your favorite foods in an attempt to have sweeter-smelling breath.  Fortunately your dentist can treat the bad breath you can’t get rid of on your own.

Gingivitis Treatments

Gingivitis is a common cause of bad breath.  If you have any symptoms of gum disease, the bad breath is only a small part of the problem.  You need to have periodontal therapy to restore the health of your gums, protect your teeth, and yes, get rid of your bad breath.  One treatment your dentist might perform for gingivitis is deep cleaning and scaling.  The dentist uses a hand tool or ultrasound scaling device to clear away plaque, tartar and debris from your mouth that might be causing the unpleasant odor.

Dry Mouth Treatment

If your mouth is too dry, it can cause halitosis.  It’s also important to get treatment for your dry mouth because not having enough saliva can affect your dental health as well as your ability to digest food properly.  It can increase your risk of having thrush, cavities and gingivitis.  One treatment for dry mouth is as simple as swishing your mouth with a special rinse that your dentist can recommend.  Or, if the problem won’t go away with a rinse, he or she might prescribe an oral medication that increases your production of saliva.

Oral Hygiene

Your dentist can suggest ways to improve your dental hygiene if that is the root of your bad breath problem.  Regular cleanings from your dental hygienist can help the problem, too.  In addition, regular dental checkups can reveal issues like tooth decay, gingivitis, yeast infections of the mouth or other problems that can cause halitosis.

Treating Infections

Dental and gum infections can also cause bad breath.  When you have an infection of your teeth or gums, you need to be treated for it, and not just to cure your halitosis!  Infections can cause lingering problems in your mouth. They can also get into your bloodstream and cause serious infections throughout your body, destroying your physical health and even risking your life.

General Health Issues causing Bad Breath

Bad breath is nothing to take lightly. It can signal some very serious health issues. People who have diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, lung infections, sinus infections or serious digestive disorders often find out about these conditions because their dentist ruled out oral causes of bad breath before sending them to their primary care doctor.

Get to your dentist soon if you have any problems with persistent bad breath. You might not know what’s causing it, but your dentist can often find out why and make a treatment plan to correct it. Don’t wait any longer! See your dentist now for help eliminating bad breath.

Scared of going to the dentist?  Dental pain used to be guaranteed with nearly any dental procedure.  But, things are changing quickly in the dental profession.  Dentist now learn techniques to avoid causing their patients any pain. New tools are also available to help your dentist offer pain-free dental care.  If you haven’t been to the dentist for a while, ask your dentist if he or she provides these painless dentistry services.

Painless Injections

For many patients, injections of anesthetic used to be the most painful part of any visit to the dentist.  Dentists would tell you to open wide, and then they would jab a needle into your gums and slam down the plunger, causing you a distinct moment of intense pain.

However, new painless dentistry techniques are now being used by many dentists.  First, the dentist places a numbing gel on the area where he or she will administer the injection.  Next, the dentist pushes the plunger slowly enough to avoid tearing the gum tissue.  Some dentists use computer-controlled injections so the numbing medication goes in smoothly and gradually to minimize or even eliminate all the pain for getting the shot.

Sedation Dentistry

If you’re tense or afraid when you think of having dental work, you can ask your dentist if he or she provides sedation dentistry.  The sedation can relieve your anxiety about the pain. A recent Stanford study indicated that the fear of pain actually causes more pain.  Because sedation relaxes you and lets you forget about your fears, you won’t experience as much pain.

Painless Extractions

Many people fear their first extraction.  People who have already had one or more extractions might experience extreme anxiety if they had a bad experience the first time.  However, sometimes a tooth simply needs to come out to preserve or restore your oral health.  The good news is that a skilled dentist can do the work painlessly.

Laser Dentistry

Laser dentistry is an option in many modern dental offices.  Your dentist can use the laser for a variety of procedures, including gum disease treatments and root canal therapy.  One reason the laser works so well is that it’s much cooler than the dental drill, which generates heat.  Periodontal treatments can be painful if the doctor does it manually, especially if he or she is not focused on providing painless dentistry.  The laser makes procedures easier for the patient to have a positive experience at the dentist’s office.

Dentists with the Right Attitude

An intimidating, judgmental or impatient dentist can increase your fear of the dentist’s chair.  In addition to the pain you experience as a result of your anxiety, a dentist with the wrong attitude toward patient care is usually not interested in making the procedure pain-free for you.

On the other hand, a dentist who sincerely cares about the comfort and dental health of his or her patient will take every measure possible to see that the patient feels as little pain as possible.  Often the difference between having a painful experience and a pain-free dental procedure is the dentist you choose.