It isn’t always easy to remember when your breath first went bad, but once you’re conscious of it, your first inclination will likely be to cure it. Unfortunately, when bad breath (halitosis) is a consistent nuisance to your dental health, curing it isn’t always simple. The first step to treating halitosis is to evaluate your dental health and hygiene habits to pinpoint where the trouble may be originating. Then, you can take steps to effectively freshen your breath, and reclaim your confidence in the process.
How Consistent is Your Hygiene?
It might not seem like a big deal to skip brushing and flossing your teeth once in a while, especially if you’re pretty diligent about your hygiene most other times. However, in the extra time between your hygiene sessions, the bacteria that inhabit your mouth and from plaque can multiply exponentially, some of them giving off conspicuous odors. When the bacteria remain, the plaque that protects them can harden into tartar, a substance too stubborn to be removed with your toothbrush.
When Was Your Last Visit to the Dentist?
Among other things, your regular dental checkups and cleanings make it possible for us to remove plaque and tartar from every surface of your teeth, including between them and underneath your gum line. They also allow us to check for problems that could eventually lead to bad breath or other issues, like tooth decay and gum disease, and prescribe treatment or recommend improvements to your hygiene, as necessary.
How Your Dentist Treats Halitosis
If your breath is tainted because bacteria and food debris are hiding in hard-to-reach places, then a thorough dental cleaning should suffice to improve it. If it’s due to a developing dental issue, like a tooth infection, then we’ll prescribe a restorative procedure, like a dental filling, to restore your oral health. In most cases, we’ll also help you avoid the recurrence of bad breath through education on proper hygiene techniques, such as;
- Brushing twice a day, every day, and after meals whenever possible
- Flossing as often as possible, and preferably before bedtime
- Using medicated mouthwash to specifically target bad breath bacteria
- Keeping an eye on your teeth and gums for warning signs between your checkups and cleanings
ABOUT YOUR ANKENY DENTIST:
To learn more, schedule an appointment with your Ankeny, IA dentist today. You can reach Dental Impressions by calling (515) 965-0230. Since 2006, Dr. Amanda Foust has proudly treated families in Ankeny, Alleman, Elkhart, Bondurant, and all surrounding communities.
