Halitosis in Los Alamitos, CA

Halitosis, the term used to refer to bad breath, can be caused by excess plaque that is left on the teeth, inside of the mouth, or gums. Once the plaque build up is left untreated, the sugars found in certain foods can mix with the plaque and produce acid that leads to rotting and tartar build up, which can ultimately result in gum disease or tooth decay. The acids and gases produced by the plaque and tartar also result in a strong unpleasant odor in the patient's mouth. Our team of adept dentists and dental hygienists can help remove and treat the plaque build up as well as the bad breath that is being produced.

Our dentists will happily consult with a patient at our Los Alamitos, CA office to assess needs and create an individualized treatment plan. Each treatment may vary some depending on the condition, but the results will ultimately be the same: a healthier, cleaner, and fresher-smelling mouth. 

Plaque is the soft sticky film filled with bacteria that forms on your teeth.  After patients eat and do not remove food particles from their teeth with brushing or flossing, the bacteria remains. Plaque buildup causes tartar. Tooth tartar that remains on the teeth makes it even more difficult to clean the teeth. Eventually, the tartar builds up under the gum, causing gingivitis. Patients can recognize gingivitis with gums that are swollen, red, and bleed when brushing their teeth. This is an early sign that hardened tooth tartar has entered into the early stages of gum disease.

Our registered dental hygenists, with excellent training and patient care skills, can help assess why the patient has bad breath and figure out a cleaning strategy to get the tartar off the teeth. During a discreet consultation for bad breath therapy, we will assess the patient's teeth and gums for possible reasons for the halitosis. If the condition is more minor and the patient shows no signs of gum disease, then typically a thorough teeth cleaning should help remove the tartar/plaque build up. However, if the condition is more severe, then the patients may require periodontal treatments, which are used to treat inflamed and infected gums, ranging from simpler procedures, such as scaling and root planing, to surgical procedures, such as bone grafting. Having regular teeth cleanings are very important for fresh breath. Our dentist will discuss the right course of action and how in-depth the dental treatments will be for the situation. 

Brushing (teeth, gums, and tongue), flossing, and using mouthwash daily is very important to oral health. Our dentist may recommend a special type of mouthwash and toothpaste to also ward off continual bad breath between a hygiene routine. If patients are not in the habit of brushing and flossing after meals, then they will experience the growth of plaque on their teeth.

Also, keep in mind that if our treatments for bad breath do not help the situation, then patients may need to see their primary care physician to eliminate other health problems (such as an ulcer, acid reflux, or a gastrointestinal disorder) that may be adding to the state of their constant bad breath. 

For exceptional treatments and improved dental hygiene, we encourage you to call our Los Alamitos, CA office today. Our Beachwood dentists can help address your bad breath and clean your teeth for a fresher, healthier mouth.