Dentists Can Clean Your Breath Too
Few things are more of a turnoff than bad breath, and for those who have it, it can be difficult to get rid of. What many of those people may not know, however, is that there is a doctor who can help you address the issue, and it may not be the one you think.
Dentists do a lot of things for your mouth,
from cleaning your teeth and gums to maintain the health of your underlying jaw. Because of their expertise in things relating to the mouth, they can also help cure that bad breath, too.
Halitosis, more commonly known simply as bad breath, is a chronic disease that has been estimated to affect some 25 percent of the world’s population to certain various degrees. Mostly, though, it is a direct result of circumstances unique to an individual that can be addressed and treated.
Many people may not realize that halitosis is actually considered to be the third-most common reason for visiting dentists, behind only tooth decay and gum disease. For those many individuals who have developed bad breath because of their habits or their lack of oral hygiene, a dentist is just the person who can help.
For those who develop halitosis that is not chronic, there are many possible triggers that promoted its development. These can include the foods that person eats, whether or not they smoke, how well they brush or floss their teeth and how frequently they breathe through their mouth.
These are all common causes that can be addressed and treated by dentists. Bacteria that builds up in and around the teeth is the most common cause of bad breath, and cleaning the gums and tongue is often an effective first step towards remedying the problem.
There can also be bacteria present in areas that can’t typically be seen or reached. A dentist not only knows where to look for these troublesome spots, they also have the instruments to reach them.
Perhaps most importantly, dentists can help you develop a plan for maintaining your oral hygiene at home. Learning how - and also where - to brush and floss correctly on your own is the easiest and most effective way to combat halitosis every day. For tougher, more persistent cases, a dentist can often recommend mouthwashes, toothpastes and other products that are able to address an individual’s specific needs.
For the majority of individuals, a dentist can identify the cause and help you treat the issue quickly and easily. For those who may have a chronic case or are having more difficulty identifying the cause of the problem, a dental visit can also help to diagnose the cause and severity of the case and develop a plan to alleviate the symptoms, even if that means a referral to another doctor.
Halitosis may not be a serious medical issue, but it is a sensitive and uncomfortable one. If various over-the-counter products haven’t worked at home, dentists are as qualified as anyone to help you take the next step towards cleaning up your mouth.
