Halitosis Treatment
Halitosis, oral malodour, breath odour, or most commonly bad breath are terms used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing.
Two types of halitosis
- Transient halitosis (temporary) - caused by stress, poor hygiene, certain foods (garlic), and smoking. This type can be easily corrected by brushing, flossing, and using a mouthwash.
- Chronic halitosis (long term) - can be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia) or bacteria overload, and can be very difficult to cure.
Causes
Halitosis is not completely understood. However most bad breath is believed to be linked to food debris that becomes trapped in the mouth. Certain areas of the mouth are notorious for trapping food and bacteria: the back of the tongue, dental bridge work, and dentures.
Other causes include prescription medication, diabetes, kidney failure, periodontal disease, and gastro intestinal reflux disorder (GERD).
Diagnosis
Many times breath malodor is virtually imperceptible by one's own sense of smell. Occasionally a bitter or foul taste will be noticeable. The most effective way to determine breath odor is to ask a family member to smell one's breath and give honest feed back. Another way is to scrape the back of the tongue with a tongue cleaner and smell the residue. If all dental and medical factors have been ruled out, advanced testing is required to determine specific bacterial causes.
Treatment
The most common treatment for halitosis is direct treatment of the bacteria that are believed to be the main culprit for all bad breath. They usually thrive in an acidic environment and in any environment without oxygen. The easiest way to treat this condition is to add oxygen and reduce the acidity. To accomplish this, swish with a hydrogen peroxide/water rinse and brush with a baking soda toothpaste. This very simple solution has proved quite effective for halitosis sufferers.
Home care
Using breath mints, sprays, and gums only temporarily solves a halitosis problem. The best solution is to use a mouthwash with antibacterial qualities. Try to avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol, as they will dry your mouth out and make breath malodor worse.
Effective methods of removing or inhibiting bacteria are:
- Brushing and flossing on a regular basis
- Using a tongue scraper twice a day to remove bacteria from the surface of the tongue
- Using a hydrogen peroxide/water rinse once a day to help relieve some odor
- Brushing small amounts of antibacterial mouthwash on the tongue to inhibit bacterial growth
If you suffer from dry mouth, keep a water bottle with you and take small sips throughout the day.
Geographic tongue
Geographic tongue or Migratory Glossitis is a term referring to a condition of the tongue which may migrate to different locations on the tongue.
Symptoms
It is usually first diagnosed through a common pattern that appears on the upper side of the tongue. It is a smooth red area surrounded by a grayish border. Geographic tongue can be painful and spicy, sweet, or acidic foods may aggravate the red patches and cause stinging or burning.
Cause
The cause is unknown. However it is thought to be associated with several different genes. Individuals who suffer from severe allergies are more likely to have geographic tongue, as are people consuming high amounts of sugared or processed foods.
Treatment
There is no known cure for geographic tongue, but there are several effective ways to reduce the pain and burning:
- Eliminating spicy or sweet foods
- Taking antihistamines
- Taking vitamin B
Dry Mouth
A dry mouth on occasion is normal, and often occurs in direct relationship with stress, drinking, or nasal congestion. When it's just occasional, dry mouth is a minimal problem, but when it is frequent and severe, many other problems may arise, such as difficulty in speaking, eating, or swallowing, and an increased risk of developing oral infections and dental decay.
A dry mouth may be a precursor to other disease or malfunction, and can also be a result of some medications or other treatments. It is never a normal aging process!!!
Symptoms of dry mouth
- A dry or cotton-like feeling of the mouth or lips
- Constant mouth sores
- A dry, rough, and cracked tongue
- A burning or itchy feeling in the mouth and tongue
- A constantly scratchy or dry throat
Why is saliva so important?
Saliva plays a larger role in our mouths than just keeping the mouth moist.
- It assists in food digestion
- It prevents tooth decay
- It controls bacteria to prevent oral infections
- It softens foods for chewing and swallowing
What causes dry mouth?
Dry mouth occurs when our salivary glands produce little or no saliva, and the mouth feels sticky or cotton-like. There are several different causes or reasons for dry mouth.
- Medications - especially those used to treat depression and high blood pressure.
- Diseases - such as AIDS, Diabetes, Parkinson's, or Sjogren's Syndrome that affect the salivary glands.
- Radiation treatment -can cause significant damage to the salivary glands and alter the flow of saliva.
- Chemotherapy - when it affects the saliva, rather than the salivary glands. When the saliva thickens, the mouth feels exceptionally dry and sticky.
- Nerve damage - Salivary glands are stimulated by nerve impulses. Any sort of nerve damage usually causes a diminished flow of saliva.
What can be done about dry mouth?
Dry mouth is treated according to its cause. We may suggest that your medication dosage be altered. We may suggest that you swish with mouthwash or suck on sugar free mints that help produce saliva. We may also recommend that you use artificial saliva. Any or all of these treatments may be implemented to ease your condition.
What can I do?
- Carry a water bottle and take small sips of water often
- Steer clear of any fluids containing caffeine; these drinks can dehydrate your body and mouth
- Drink sugarless fluids during meals to make chewing and swallowing easier
- Chew on sugarless gum or suck on sugarless mints to stimulate saliva flow throughout the day
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco products, as they dry out the mouth
- Remember that spicy or salty foods may cause your mouth discomfort
- Place a humidifier in your bed room for night use
Tips for keeping your teeth healthy
If you have dry mouth, you need to pay extra attention to your oral care and to what you eat and drink. To guarantee a healthy mouth remember to:
- Thoroughly brush your teeth three times a day
- Floss between all of your teeth once a day
- Always use a toothpaste containing fluoride
- Avoid foods that are sticky or high in sugar
- Visit your dentist at least twice a year, and while you're there, ask about new dry mouth solutions
" The dental procedures we specialize in enhance our
patients' look and their quality of life! "
If you would like to learn more, or if you believe you have a dental infection, you should contact Dr. DiStefano and Dr. Nguyen to seek our services right away. We are committed to providing our patients in the Lansing area with the best family and cosmetic dentistry services available.
