Professional Treatment for Chronic Bad Breath 

What Causes Bad Breath?

Chronic bad breath can occur as a result of both lifestyle and medical conditions, including: 

• Dietary choices: Powerful-smelling foods such as onions, garlic, coffee, fish oil capsules, and dietary supplements are often to blame for bad breath. 
• Certain medications: Many medications accompanied by side effects such as dry mouth are linked to bad breath. This is usually the result of your mouth being unable to produce the saliva necessary to remove food particles.
• Poor oral hygiene: Food particles that are not removed with proper brushing and flossing can decompose inside of the mouth and leave a bad smell. Leftover plaque and tartar are also a breeding ground for bacteria, which causes bad odors.
• Preexisting health conditions: Chronic illnesses such as diabetes and lactose intolerance can lead to bad breath.
• Tobacco use: Tobacco can cause dry mouth, which triggers bad breath. Tobacco products are also linked to additional negative health effects, including lung cancer.
• Infection: Infection in your throat can contribute to halitosis.

Bad breath can also be a sign of cavities and gum disease. As dedicated periodontal specialists, our team can diagnose and effectively treat virtually any level of gum disease to restore your oral health, improve your breath, and prevent serious overall health concerns which have been linked to periodontal disease. 

Treatment Options 

Chronic bad breath may be temporarily alleviated with the help of breath mints or gum, but the only way to find long-lasting relief is to visit a dentist for a proper diagnosis and professional treatment. Drs. Parkes and Stewart will determine how to treat your halitosis by first diagnosing the cause. During your dental exam, they will review your medical history, evaluate your teeth and gums, and measure the depth of your gum pockets to determine the best course of treatment. 

Gum Disease Treatment

If our doctors determine that your halitosis is caused by a form of periodontal disease, we are trained and equipped with the tools to treat mild to severe periodontal disease. These include: 

• Antibiotics 
• Scaling and root planing 
• Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure, or LANAP®
• Laser gum therapy 
• Flap procedure

We can also help patients whose gum disease has resulted in gum tissue recession. Our doctors can perform the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique® or traditional tissue grafting to augment gum tissue in areas where it has been affected by gum disease. 

Addressing your bad breath can improve your oral health, reduce the risk of overall health concerns, and increase your self-confidence.

Preventing Bad Breath 

If your bad breath is caused by poor oral hygiene or other lifestyle factors, there are many ways you can promote fresh breath. In addition to regular brushing and flossing, we recommend biannual dental exams to identify oral health issues before the onset of symptoms. We also recommend reducing intake of foul-smelling foods or brushing after each meal. If you smoke, quitting can improve your breath and reduce the risk of cancer and other health complications. 

Put an End to Your Bad Breath

Addressing bad breath can improve your oral health, reduce the risk of overall health concerns, and increase your self-confidence. To help you get the treatment you need, our office works with most major insurance carriers. If you are having trouble understanding your insurance benefits, we can provide a complimentary insurance evaluation to determine whether your halitosis treatment can be covered by insurance. Get a professional diagnosis and treatment for your condition by calling us at (601) 956-1230 or reaching out to our team online.