Unhealthy gums can lead to serious mouth problems like tooth loss, bone loss and loose teeth. It can even affect your overall health. Forest Heights Family Dental offers periodontal treatments to improve your gum health.

After completion of periodontal therapy, it is always recommended for patients to return to the office for proper hygiene and maintenance, due to the likelihood of periodontal disease returning without vigilant care. Maintenance visits are scheduled based on patient risk factors and the doctor’s recommendations, usually at intervals of 3 to 4 months. These appointments help to keep the disease under control, leading to a healthier smile in the future.

Chronic halitosis or bad breath is a very common mouth problem which is caused by poor oral hygiene and gum disease. We will help you determine the physical problems resulting to bad breath and resolve them. Forest Heights Family Dental wants you to have a clean and healthy mouth to boost your confidence.

What Are The Causes Of Halitosis (Bad Breath)?

Determining the cause of bad breath is the first step to treating it.

Bacteria

Halitosis can happen to anyone as many forms of bacteria live in our mouths. Your mouth provides the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Each time you eat, the bacteria feed off the food particles left in the mouth and leaves a leave a foul-smelling waste behind.

Dry Mouth

Your mouth produces saliva, which naturally cleans off any food particles left behind. If your mouth dries up naturally, or if it dries up due to certain medical conditions or medication taken, a bad odour may build up.

Gum Disease

Poor oral hygiene and gum disease can cause bad breath. The food particles that remain in your mouth can collect odorous bacteria if you do not brush and floss your teeth daily. This buildup eventually leads to the formation of a colourless, gummy film of bacteria, known as plaque. This plaque may cause tooth decay and irritate your gums if not correctly brushed away, thereby causing bad breath.

Food

Food particles between your teeth can cause bad breath. Some of the foods that cause bad breath include onions and garlic. Once they are broken down, they are transported through the blood to the lungs, where they can affect your breath.

Smoking and Tobacco

Tobacco products cause their type of mouth odour, stain your teeth and increase your risk of multiple health problems. Smoking also increases your risk of developing gum disease which causes halitosis.

Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions like liver failure, cancer, and other metabolic illnesses can cause bad breath due to the chemical mixes they produce.

Gastrointestinal Problems

GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) causes halitosis as a result of regular reflux of your stomach acids.

How Can We Treat Bad Breath?

Since bad breath is almost always caused by a problem in your mouth, we can help you in treating it. If your bad odour is as a result of gum disease, our team will conduct professional cleaning to remove the bacteria and plaque buildup, especially if the pockets are deep. In severe cases, your dentist may suggest more extensive treatment.