Do you suffer with persistent bad breath? Is your bad breath affecting personal and professional interaction?
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be the result of many things, including what you ate for dinner! However, if you have persistent halitosis that does not seem to respond to tooth brushing or mouth wash there may be an underlying dental or health concern.
Fox Lake, IL Dentist Dr. Thomas Prendergast can work with you to determine the underlying cause of your bad breath and make personalized recommendations for appropriate treatment. If your halitosis appears to be related to a larger health concern, Dr. Prendergast may refer you to your general physician for further diagnosis and treatment.
Causes of Bad Breath
Determining the cause of you bad breath is the key to effective treatment. Common causes of halitosis can include:
- Poor oral health, including gum disease
- Infection or illness, such as strep throat
- Mouth breathing, often as a result of sinus problems
- Certain medications
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Kidney or systemic disease such as diabetes
For patients with dental concerns such as gum disease, a thorough professional dental cleaning and at home oral hygiene practices can improve halitosis and restore your sense of confidence.
Halitosis related to certain medications or medical conditions is commonly known as “dry mouth”. In addition to causing bad breath, dry mouth can also be uncomfortable for patients who have it. Dr. Prendergast can recommend specific oral care products to alleviate your symptoms and improve your breath.
If lifestyle habits are causing persistent bad breath, reducing the use of offending agents, such as cigarettes, will often greatly improve your halitosis- as well as overall health!
Healthy daily habits that include drinking plenty of water, brushing and flossing will provide the foundation for optimal oral health- and fresh breath. Preventive dental care is also an important part of maintaining a healthy mouth, and enables us to treat developing problems quickly and effectively.
If you have concerns about your oral health, schedule an appointment in our Fox Lake, IL dentist office.