Chronic halitosis, more commonly referred to as bad breath, is a condition that affects millions of people. The most common cause of halitosis is bacteria that has been trapped inside a person’s mouth for a long period of time. Such bacteria can usually be found on a person’s tongue, between their teeth and below their gum line.
Many people experiencing halitosis try to treat the problem on their own using gum, mints or mouth rinses. Unfortunately, these remedies only work to mask the problem, and they do nothing to address the root cause. The experts at Axiom Dentistry work to find the true cause of a patient’s halitosis and solve the problem once and for all so that bad breath does not reoccur.
When dealing with halitosis, we generally start with a professional teeth cleaning. This treatment eliminates odor-causing bacteria inside a person’s mouth, leaving the patient with a sense of oral freshness for many months to come. We also may conduct a tongue scraping, which can be very beneficial when the tongue is the source of bacteria.
Some cases of halitosis may be caused by periodontitis, better known as gum disease. If this is the case, scaling and root planing treatments can be used to remove odor-causing bacteria deep within the mouth and below the gum line. Due to the seriousness of gum disease, patients are advised to seek treatment for this condition as soon as possible.
The best way to prevent halitosis from happening in the first place is to maintain good oral hygiene practices. This includes brushing and flossing and receiving a complete dental checkup every six months. Patients suffering from halitosis often benefit from a simple review of correct brushing and flossing techniques.
If you are suffering from chronic halitosis, please visit one of our six locations in Zebulon, Knightdale, Clayton, Cary, Louisburg, Raleigh, Leesville Road, and Benson. You may call us to schedule an appointment.
