A family dentist treats a wide range of oral health problems. They treat one-off problems like cavities and chronic issues like gum disease or bad breath.
Halitosis, or bad breath, can turn into a problem that just will not go away. It has a way of causing embarrassment in social situations. More often than not, bad breath is an indicator of an underlying issue that touches on oral or overall health.
These are just a few of the reasons why a patient should tackle chronic bad breath head-on with a visit to a family dentist.
A family dentist explains chronic bad breath
At their core, most forms of halitosis are simply a production of gases, which are by-products of bacterial activity on fats or proteins in the body. Chronic bad breath means that bacterial activity is constant, which should be a cause of concern.
A family dentist will start the process of treating halitosis with an evaluation and a diagnosis. Based on the root cause, they will recommend holistic treatment that resolves the problem in the long term. In some cases, they may refer their patient to a physician. Here are some of the causes of chronic bad breath, and their corresponding courses of treatment.
1. Poor oral health and hygiene can cause breath that smells like rotten eggs
This is a result of the breakdown of proteins by bacteria that live in the mouth. Mouth bacteria will act on certain proteins that can accumulate on the tongue, releasing a sulfur-like gas. The treatment of this type of halitosis is as easy as adopting good nutrition and fastidious oral hygiene.
In some cases, the dentist may recommend anti-bacterial treatments.
2. Breath that smells like fecal matter may be a sign of tooth decay or gum disease
Again, mouth bacteria cause this type of bad breath by breaking down a different kind of protein: gum, dental or tongue tissue. This type of bad breath points to a bacterial infection in the mouth. The infection could be in the teeth (tooth decay) or the gums (periodontal disease).
Treatment for this kind of tooth decay requires one or more dental procedures to remove the infection and restore the affected dental structure.
3. Breath that smells like fecal matter may also be a sign of a digestive problem
This brings us to the second category of conditions that cause halitosis: systemic health problems. As an example, a bowel obstruction can cause halitosis as gases from the digestive tract make their way to the mouth. Other underlying health conditions that can cause bad breath include diabetes, sinus infections, digestive tract issues and kidney problems. In all these cases, a dentist will refer their patient to a physician for further diagnosis and treatment.
Your family dentist is your first line of defense
Chronic bad breath can be more than just an embarrassment. It can be an indicator of something that needs the attention of your family dentist or physician. To start the process of banishing halitosis from your life, get in touch with us to make an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://pier210dental.com or call Pier 210 Dental Group at (530) 885-5696 for an appointment in our Auburn office.
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