Treating Embarrassing Bad Breath By Roni S. Berbari, DMD on February 11, 2015

Chronic bad breath can be an indicator of oral health problems and should not be ignored. Restorative dentistry treatments can repair dental problems to restore oral health and, in doing so, reduce bad breath. To discuss your personalized treatment plan, schedule a consultation with Montreal dentist Roni Berbari.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Bad breath can be caused by a variety of factors. The foods we eat, poor oral hygiene, smoking, or general health issues, like diabetes, can all cause bad breath. Bad breath caused by foods is harmless, though a bit embarrassing, and will go away once the food is fully digested. When bad breath is a constant problem, regardless of the foods you've eaten, this may be an indicator of an oral or general health issue. Some of the causes of bad breath include:

Gum disease
Tooth decay
Inadequate saliva production
Respiratory tract issues
Diabetes
Acid reflux
Oral yeast infection
Smoking

Treating Bad Breath

In order to successfully treat bad breath, it's important to determine the cause. If bad breath persists after dental issues are addressed, it may mean general health issues are causing the bad breath. If this is the case, an appointment should be scheduled with your physician to treat any general health issues that may be causing bad breath. Bad breath caused by oral health issues is easily treatable. Some treatments to reduce bad breath include:

Root planing and scaling: Bad breath can be caused by gum disease. Root planing and scaling is a quick and highly effective treatment for gum disease. It is used to clean plaque and tartar along and below the gum line and restore oral health.
Root canal therapy: Root canal infections and the accompanying tooth decay can cause bad breath smell and make eating painful. Root canal therapy is performed to remove infected nerve and pulp tissue from the tooth, along with decay, helping to reduce bad breath and improve oral comfort and health.
Tooth-colored fillings: Either paired with root canal therapy or used alone, tooth-colored fillings can be used to treat odor causing tooth decay.
Regular dental exams and cleanings: Regular dental exams and professional cleanings maintain your oral health and keep bad breath at bay. Dental exams catch dental problems in their earliest stages and professional cleanings keep the teeth free of plaque and tartar, all of which helps to reduce bad breath.

Tips to Try at Home

If you suffer from bad breath, it's important to seek professional dental care, as this may be a sign of a bigger problem. In the meantime, you can follow these tips to reduce bad breath before and after dental treatment: