Treating Chronic Bad Breath for a Better Quality of Life
Chronic bad breath, also known as halitosis, can point to serious oral health issues such as gum disease or tooth decay. Dr. Stephen J. Malki can treat chronic bad breath at his Bergen County, NJ, practice to restore your health and your confidence. Our team will screen for the root cause in order to provide the most effective treatment for your needs. Typically, halitosis is treated through a deep cleaning procedure designed to eliminate bacteria along the gum line.
What Causes Halitosis?
Excess oral bacteria related to gum disease is the most common reason for bad breath. Periodontal disease can cause pockets to develop along the gum line near your dental roots. Other gum disease symptoms often accompany bad breath, including inflammation and gum recession.
Other potential causes of bad breath include:
- Tooth decay
- Dry mouth
- Smoking
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Health conditions, including diabetes
- Poorly cleaned dentures
- Dietary factors
- Certain medications
Sometimes, bad breath can be traced to a single cause. In other cases, multiple factors are responsible for the concern.
Consultation & Treatment
As part of your initial consultation with Dr. Malki, you will discuss your lifestyle and medical history, and he will conduct an oral examination. Based on the information he gathers, he can determine the cause of your bad breath and create a treatment plan.
Two of the best ways to control bad breath are improving your oral hygiene routine and coming in for professional cleanings twice a year.
Since gum disease and elevated levels of bacteria are often the cause of bad breath, treatment will likely involve scaling and root planning. During this non-surgical treatment, bacteria will be gently removed at and below the gum line, and the tooth roots will be smoothed to discourage a recurrence of buildup.
Depending on the cause of your halitosis, treatment plans may also involve the removal of decay, including placement of a filing or dental crown, root canal therapy, and changes to your at-home hygiene routine.
Preventing and Controlling Bad Breath
In addition to providing care for your bad breath, we want to help you avoid this problem in the future.
Review At-Home Hygiene Techniques
Controlling bacteria levels is key to bad breath prevention. The best way to accomplish this is with an improved at-home oral hygiene regimen, coupled with twice-yearly visits to our practice for dental exams and professional cleanings. Our staff can review proper flossing and brushing techniques to ensure you are accessing even hard-to-reach areas of your mouth where bacteria can accumulate and proliferate.
Lifestyle Changes
Additionally, you may also need to make other changes to your lifestyle. Additional ways to control and prevent bad breath include:
- Make changes to your diet: Limit your intake of sugary foods, which contribute to decay and gum disease.
- Quit smoking: Tobacco products cause bad breath and put you at a higher risk for gum disease.
- Use antibacterial mouthwash: Rinses are a simple way to inhibit bacteria growth at home.
- Repair ill-fitting dentures: Dentures that do not fit correctly can trap bacteria, causing bad breath.
Schedule Your Consultation
Bad breath can easily be overcome and controlled with the right care. Learn more about treating halitosis by booking your appointment online or calling Malki Dental at (201) 646-0800.
