What are Common Bad Breath Causes?
If you suffer from chronic, severe bad breath, also known as halitosis, it's important to identify the cause so you can determine an effective treatment.
Halitosis has many causes, including the following:
- Tobacco use. If you smoke, quit. Your bad breath may be due to other causes, too, but tobacco use is a guarantee of bad breath. If you are ready to quit, ask your doctor or dentist for advice and support.
- What you eat, or don't eat. Certain foods, such as garlic, contribute to bad breath, but only temporarily. Once they are absorbed into the bloodstream, the smell is expelled through the breath, but the odors remain until the body processes the food, so there’s no quick fix.
- Dry mouth. If your mouth is extremely dry, there is not enough saliva to wash away excess food particles and bacteria, which can cause an unpleasant smell if they build up on the teeth.
- Infections. Bad breath that seems to have no other cause may indicate an infection elsewhere in the body. If you have chronic bad breath and your dentist rules out any oral problems, see your doctor for an evaluation. Bad breath can be a sign of a range of conditions including respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis or bronchitis, diabetes, or liver and kidney problems, so it's important not to ignore the problem.
The best way to improve bad breath is to follow a thorough oral care routine including twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing to remove the food particles and bacteria that can cause bad breath. Mouthwashes only improve bad breath for the short term, and if you have a chronic problem, your dentist may suggest an antimicrobial rinse to help keep bacteria at bay.
The above article is from: OralB.com
Our Compassionate Care for Your Kids!
Dr. Hekkert uses the latest advancements in children's dentistry that are easier and mean less time in the dental chair for our young patients. Our team makes your children feel at ease as we create an environment of thoughtful care for all their dental needs. We teach children proper dental hygiene and the benefits of doing so for their lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. We look forward to their first visit and each visit thereafter as they grow and change.
It is our goal to ensure our tween and teen patients grow up without anxiety during dental care. As many of our patients' parents have told us, we are accomplishing this goal.
Castle Rock Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
Erik Hekkert, DDS
4625 Trail Boss Drive, Suite G
Castle Rock, CO 80104
(720) 733-1210
CastleRockDentistry.com
Gum Disease and Tooth Loss
Gum disease is the number one reason for tooth loss. It can sometimes go completely unnoticed until the infection is at a severe stage. Specific signs are bleeding gums from brushing and flossing or loose teeth. It is important that you come in for treatment at the very first sign of an infection. Nonsurgical treatment can be very successful at reversing this problem in the earlier stages. If you wait until the problem is chronic, surgery may be your only option.
Gum Disease Can Mean More Than Losing Your Teeth
A link between gum disease and serious health conditions has been identified. Heart disease, stroke, and diabetes are afflictions that can arise or worsen in the presence of gum infection. The bacteria in the gums travel throughout the body in the bloodstream, affecting major organs. The American Academy of Periodontology reports that "studies found periodontal infections may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases."
Dentists now consider gum disease as a more serious matter than tooth loss. Of even more concern, the American Dental Association has estimated that nearly 80% of Americans have gum (periodontal) disease at some stage. This is an epidemic percentage! It is important to have regular check-ups to identify such a problem at its earliest stage to maintain overall good health.
Taking Care of the Problem
Is gum surgery the only way to treat periodontal disease? Surgery is almost always successful to reverse the problem, but if treatment is given in the early stages of the infection, nonsurgical methods work very well. With better daily hygiene, the condition is stopped, letting the gums return to a healthy state. Both approaches are generally provided for by most dental plans.
What Can Happen if You Lose a Tooth
Losing just one tooth can cause a variety of other problems. Your chewing isn't as effective as it should be. You won't absorb as many nutrients from your food. With more teeth missing, you may start eating softer, higher-calorie foods, which can add unwanted weight. Your face eventually takes on a hollow look, as the lack of teeth causes bone loss in the jaw. Your speech may sometimes be embarrassing as you slur certain words.
Dental implants are the best solution to regain a full smile and return your confidence. They function just like real teeth and look very natural as they come up through the gums. No one will be able to tell they are not your own teeth – not even a dentist!
Defeating Gum Disease the Easy Way
Dr. Hekkert uses a very effective and painless approach in defeating gum disease. It's an antibiotic called ARESTIN™ that works directly at the site of the infection. It is a powder applied into the spaces between gums and teeth. It contains invisible microspheres that are time-released to be most effective in halting the condition.
New Laser Treatment for Good Health
We are excited to make known that our hygienist now uses a laser for bacterial reduction therapy. What does this mean for you? This dental laser kills the bacteria that infect the gums. It prevents other contamination within your mouth and keeps the infection from traveling throughout your bloodstream.
Castle Rock Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
Erik Hekkert, DDS
4625 Trail Boss Drive, Suite G
Castle Rock, CO 80104
(720) 733-1210
CastleRockDentistry.com
Dental Care in Complete Comfort with Sedation Dentistry
Dental treatment doesn't have to be a terrifying experience, as it is for some patients. With sedation dentistry, those with fears can relax and feel comfortable with any type of treatment. We are very pleased to bring this relief to our patients with anxiety.
By just taking one pill, one hour before your appointment, you will begin to feel relaxed. As you sit in the dental chair, you will reach a deep level of relaxation. You are not unconscious, only unaware of the work being performed. You still have perception of your environment and will be able to answer questions when asked. Your vital signs are monitored throughout the treatment, and when the work is completed, you will have someone drive you home. An hour later you are back to normal.
It is important to know you are not completely out, as if for surgery. This type of sedation lets you avoid stress, but you are still aware of your environment.
Some people cannot get numb from regular anesthesia and need this type of sedation so treatment can proceed. Others do not have time in their busy schedules to make repeat visits, so conscious sedation works well to have one longer appointment to accomplish the necessary work. Years of work can be completed in a single visit!
Castle Rock Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
Erik Hekkert, DDS
4625 Trail Boss Drive, Suite G
Castle Rock, CO 80104
(720) 733-1210
CastleRockDentistry.com
