Halitosis (Bad breath)

What is halitosis?

More than 90 million people suffer from chronic halitosis or bad breath. In most cases it originates from the gums and tongue. The odor is caused by bacteria from the decay of food particles, other debris in your mouth, and poor oral hygiene. The decay and debris produce a sulfur compound that causes the unpleasant odor.

Does bad breath come from other sources than the mouth?
Bad breath also may occur in people who have a medical infection, gum disease, diabetes, kidney failure, or a liver malfunction. Xerostomia (dry mouth) and tobacco also contribute to this problem. Cancer patients who undergo radiation therapy may experience dry mouth. Even stress, dieting, snoring, age and hormonal changes can have an effect on your breath.

How do I control bad breath?

It is important to practice good oral hygiene, such as brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. To alleviate the odor, clean your tongue with your toothbrush or a tongue scraper, a plastic tool that scrapes away bacteria that builds on the tongue. Chewing sugar-free gum also may help control the odor. If you have dentures or a removable appliance, such as a retainer or mouthguard, clean the appliance thoroughly before placing it back in your mouth. Before you use mouth rinses, deodorizing sprays or tablets, talk with Dr. Anderson because these products only mask the odor temporarily, and some products work better than others.

What is my dentist's role?

Visit Dr. Anderson regularly because checkups will help detect any physical problems. Checkups also help get rid of the plaque and bacteria that build up on your teeth. If you think that you suffer from bad breath, Dr. Anderson can help determine its source. He may ask you to schedule a separate appointment to find the source of the odor. Or, if Dr. Anderson believes that the problem is caused from a systemic source (internal), such as an infection, he may refer you to your family physician or a specialist to help remedy the cause of the problem.

For more information, please call 972-495-8100 or e-mail us directly and we'll respond promptly.

Sources: Academy of General Dentistry; American Dental Association; Dental Update, 1993 March; The Profitable Dentist, August 1995.

Breath Rx

The more you know about oral malodor, the more you’ll appreciate BreathRx™. All of us have suffered from bad breath at one time or another. But it is estimated that forty million Americans suffer from bad breath that never goes away. The term for this condition is oral malodor. Surprisingly, most people with oral malodor are not aware of their problem breath. That’s because our sense of smell has an amazing ability to adjust to odors. Unfortunately, there’s no cure for 90% of oral malodor. It requires long-term control and management of this condition. The BreathRx™ Breath Management System was developed to make long-term treatment easy, convenient, and effective.

Americans spend over a billion dollars each year on over-the-counter products that do not eliminate bad breath. While most mouthwash products mask bad breath, few are effective after a few hours. And none of them will manage Chronic Oral Malodor. Most over-the-counter mouthwashes contain alcohol that dries soft oral tissue, ultimately leading to even faster formation of odor causing bacteria. In addition, mouthwashes that contain more than 25% alcohol can increase the risk of oral and pharyngeal cancers by about 50%. With BreathRx™, that’s a risk you don’t have to take. BreathRx™ is 100% alcohol-free. BreathRx™ outperforms other products that only mask odor because it eliminates the cause and neutralizes the resulting odors.

We can provide you with a system that fights both the cause and the effect of halitosis.

For more information, please call 972-495-8100 or e-mail us directly and we'll respond promptly.

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