My Bad Breath Won't Go Away: Should I See a Dentist?
Bad breath is embarrassing, but when it won’t go away, it may be a sign of something more serious. Dental checkups and cleanings are essential for good oral health and may even help prevent and improve bad breath.
If your bad breath won’t go away, it’s important to see a dentist. Our team of dentists can help get to the source of bad breath with dental exams at Bethel Dental in Accra, Ghana. We welcome you to schedule a consultation. In the meantime, read on to learn more about why you should see a dentist if you have chronic bad breath.
Causes of Bad Breath
Bad breath, also called halitosis, is something everyone experiences from time to time. Some people have bad breath due to lifestyle choices, like smoking and poor oral hygiene. Sometimes bad breath happens after eating certain foods, like onions and garlic, and goes away on its own. Other times bad breath is persistent and doesn’t go away.
When bad breath persists, it could be a sign of something more serious such as:
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Dental abscesses
- Dry mouth
- Root canal infection
- Oral infections
- Oral cancer
- Liver disease
- Respiratory problems
- Gastrointestinal problems
Treating Bad Breath
In order to treat bad breath, it is important to determine the cause. A thorough dental exam can help determine whether bad breath is likely being caused by an oral health problem, like tooth decay.
Bad breath caused by an oral health problem is often alleviated by treating whatever oral health issue is likely at fault. Treatments may include:
- Root canal therapy for abscesses or root canal infections
- Dental fillings for tooth decay
- Dental crowns for tooth decay or damaged teeth
- Gum disease treatment
- Antibiotics for oral infections
- Mouthwash for dry mouth
If bad breath continues after identifying and treating oral health problems, there may be a general health issue, like liver disease or gastrointestinal problems, causing bad breath. In such cases, it’s important to see a physician to look further into other general health issues that could be causing bad breath.
Preventing Bad Breath
Preventing bad breath begins with practicing good oral hygiene. This means thoroughly brushing the teeth in the morning and before bed, in addition to flossing at least once a day. When brushing the teeth, it’s important to also brush the tongue. Brushing after eating strong smelling foods can also help improve bad breath.
In addition to practicing good oral hygiene daily, dental exams and professional cleanings should be scheduled every six months. Regular exams at our Accra clinic can help identify oral health problems in the early stages when they’re most easily treated and before they become a significant problem.
Other ways to prevent bad breath are avoiding strong smelling foods and drinks, drinking plenty of water, and taking care of your overall health.
Schedule an Exam
Regular dental exams and cleanings are essential for good oral health and keeping the mouth looking (and smelling) its best. To schedule an appointment, we welcome you to contact our Accra dental clinic.