Halitosis, or simply bad breath, can be unpleasant and make you feel self-conscious. At Tandarts Jordaan, your Amsterdam dentist, that is the last thing we want!
As one of the most frequent concerns of oral health, many patients seek our office for preventative measures and treatment of halitosis.
What is halitosis or bad breath?
Halitosis is described as sparse or frequent bad breath that is noticeable to the individual or others present. When patients come to seek dental care for halitosis, we will conduct a thorough oral exam to determine the cause of your halitosis. In most cases, halitosis is caused by poor oral hygiene, but it may be caused by lingering food particles, gum disease, or other medical conditions.
Treatments of halitosis and bad breath
For most individuals, halitosis can be treated or prevented by brushing their teeth and tongue with a fluoride toothpaste and tooth picking to remove plaque and food debris on teeth twice a day. There has been many studies that show proper oral hygiene habits significantly decrease gum bleeding as well as eliminate bad breath.
The importance of cleaning your tongue
Many individuals skip this step of your daily hygiene routine, but scraping or brushing your tongue is very important in battling bad breath. There are various tongue scrapers or toothbrushes available with a tongue cleaner on the back of the brush. After toothbrushing, flip the brush over and place the cleaner on the tongue to effectively remove odor-causing bacteria.
Management of halitosis and how to prevent bad breath
As always, it’s critical to visit your dentist regularly, which will help detect any physical complications that may cause halitosis. Routine cleanings also eliminate built up plaque and bacteria. If you believe you suffer from bad breath, your dentist can help identify the source, and provide ways to prevent or treat your concerning oral condition. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
