Our Services

Bad Breath

Bad Breath (or Halitosis) Treatment
Dr. Elliot Davis and his staff are highly qualified to and routinely treat all forms of bad breath. For chronic bad breath that is due to gum and bone problems, the board certified periodontist and Dr. Davis often confer and design a regimen that will not only eliminate the problem, but reduce the likelihood of it returning. For chronic bad breath problems that are due to abscesses, oral infections, medications or severely compromised teeth, the board certified oral surgeon and Dr. Davis often confer to determine a course of action that will quickly eliminate the cause of the problem.

Overview
More than half of the adult population has reported that they presently have or have had in the past Halitosis (bad breath). The most likely culprit of bad breath is unwanted bacteria in your mouth. Some bacteria and their waste products can cause plaque by clinging to the tongue, teeth, gums and/or bone around the teeth, while other bacteria can eat away at healthy tooth structure, causing tooth decay (cavities). While there is no one cause of bad breath, most unpleasant odors are known to arise from food debris, bacteria and their waste products trapped in the mouth. Over 600 types of bacteria found in the average mouth. Some bacteria are good for us, some are not so good.

Some Other Causes of Bad Breath:

Treating Bad Breath
The key element in treating and curing bad breath is determining the cause. A thorough review of your medical and dental health status starts the process. Once that is completed, a thorough examination is performed. After the likely cause is determined, appropriate treatment is started. For example, if excessive plaque and calculus has built up, inadequate oral hygiene and infrequent professional dental treatments are likely the culprits. Dr. Davis will set up one or more sessions to provide periodontal treatments [usually scaling and root planning or surgery], and then institute a regimen for you to follow at home to keep your mouth as clean and fresh as possible.

Types of Bad Breath
Chronic Bad Breath – when there is a constant malodor emanating from your mouth Transient Bad Breath – when a bad odor comes and goes. (Examples: after eating a meal heavy in garlic and raw onions, morning breath, during and immediately after sucking on a zinc lozenge)

When is it Time to Change my Toothbrush?
Inadequate replacement of and insufficient cleaning of toothbrushes or toothbrush heads can contribute to bad breath. Most toothbrushes fall into one of two categories, manual and automated.

Manual Toothbrushes: Bristle wear is the most common reason to change a toothbrush. The easiest way to determine if your bristles are frayed is to compare a new (unused) toothbrush with your present toothbrush side-by-side. If there is any noticeable difference between the brushes (i.e., bending of the bristles), start using the new toothbrush. If you had a cold or the flu, it is a good idea to replace your toothbrush. Some toothbrushes have color indicators – follow the manufacturer’s recommended “when to change” guidelines. Acceptable disinfection methods include placing it a secure holder in the top portion of a dishwasher or using an UV (ultraviolet) toothbrush sanitizer. If you prefer dipping your toothbrush into hydrogen peroxide prior to applying toothpaste, you must be careful to remove all excess peroxide from the brush head with a vigorous shake or two prior to adding toothpaste. Sometimes a toothbrush can get bent after being packed for trip. Bent bristles can lead to inadequate brushing and a new brush should be used as soon as possible. With proper use, a manual toothbrush can last up to 100 brushing sessions. Depending on how many times a day you brush your teeth, consider swapping your toothbrushes every 1.5 – 3 months. If you feel you might have a malodor or bad breath, consider changing your toothbrush more frequently. If you notice your bristles starting to fray within the first few weeks of use, you may be brushing too hard. For confirmation, consider bringing your toothbrush to your next dentist visit.

Automated Toothbrushes: Bristle wear and improper brush head fit (vibrations) are the most common reasons to replace brush heads. Use the side-by-side method to compare your new brush head with the existing brush head. If there is any fraying of the bristles, replace the brush head. If there is no fraying of the bristles, turn on your toothbrush without wetting the brush or placing any toothpaste. Listen to the noise. Place a new brush head on the toothbrush base, being careful not to touch the bristles. Listen to the noise. If the noise on the new brush is noticeably quieter than the existing brush head, replace the brush head. Once the brush head does not fit as precisely as desired, the overall toothbrush efficacy is compromised. Fortunately, installing a new brush head will restore your automatic toothbrush to its prior effectiveness. If you had a cold or the flu, it is a good idea to replace your brush head. UV sanitizers are preferred for automatic brush heads. Automatic brush head replacement should occur every 3 – 6 months, depending upon how often it is used each day. Improper use of an automatic toothbrush or the use of an inadequate brush head can be a contributing factor to malodor and bad breath. If you feel you might have malodor or bad breath, consider changing your brush head more frequently.