Chronic Bad Breath Treatments Sun City | Burns Dentistry Sun City
Bad Breath: Unmasked in Arizona
Yep. That’s YOU you’re smelling.
The 2020 coronavirus pandemic has done its best to keep us apart from one another. Virtual work, online shopping, food delivery, and other social distancing measures separate us from close contact to prevent the spread of the virus.
But while protection efforts like mask-wearing and social distancing may have put space between us and the virus, they’ve also brought us closer to our breath than many of us would like.
It’s happened to all of us. Finish the morning coffee, put on a mask and – “Whoa! Is that what my breath smells like?!?” Yeah. It is.
Most of the time, a quick floss and brush after meals will protect your ability to mask up without knocking yourself out. But if you are experiencing “mask breath” that doesn’t get better after your normal dental routine, it may be a symptom of a more serious dental problem.
If that’s you – fear not! Our breath experts at Burns Dentistry in Sun City & Sun City West, AZ. are well equipped to take care of the underlying issues causing your chronic bad breath (while also engaging in best practices to ensure the highest levels of COVID-19 patient protection).
Contributing factors to chronic bad breath
Cavities:
A cavity can happen from a number of factors, from lack of brushing to eating sugary foods to just bacteria in the mouth. While most people associate cavities with tooth decay and tooth pain, they can also be a cause of consistent bad breath, especially if they get infected.
Treatment Options:
Depending on the severity of the cavity, the treatment can range from fluoride to fillings to crowns. In more severe cases, a root canal or even removal may be necessary. However, in most situations, cavities can be treated fairly easily with a permanent solution that leaves the tooth intact and eliminates the odor.
More On Contributing Factors
Periodontal Disease:
Periodontal disease affects the gums, leading to bad breath, swollen gums, tartar build-up, bone loss, and eventually tooth loss if untreated.
Treatment Options:
Periodontal disease is permanent, but it can be effectively managed through recurring cleanings and proper dental hygiene. Procedures like scaling and root planing can help go beneath the gum line to remove tartar build-up, which reduces swelling and bad breath and eliminates pockets of bacteria.
Dental Plaque:
Plaque is that nasty, sticky stuff that collects on your teeth at the gumline. If not regularly cleaned by a dentist, it can lead to receding gums, tooth decay, and other serious problems like periodontal disease. It also causes bad breath.
Treatment Options:
If you’re noticing plaque build-up and bad breath, it’s probably time to come into Burns Dentistry in Sun City & Sun City West and get a cleaning. Our dental hygienists can deftly and gently remove hardened plaque and give your teeth and gums that dentist-clean feeling!
Gingivitis
Like a periodontal disease, Gingivitis is a disease that affects the gums and causes bad breath. It also can cause bleeding gums and mouth ulcers.
Treatment Options:
At Burns Dentistry in Sun City we have rinses and cleaning options that can reduce the more acute symptoms of Gingivitis. Proper oral hygiene (including flossing) also can strengthen the gums and offer your mouth better protection against this disease.
Acid Reflux
Sometimes, the cause of bad breath isn’t in the mouth at all – it’s in the gut. Acid reflux is one of those cases (especially for coffee drinkers!). Acid reflux happens when bile from the stomach flows back up into the food pipe, eating away at the lining and causing bad breath.
Treatment options:
If your heartburn happens more than twice a week, you may want to see a gastroenterologist about a possible diagnosis for GERD. At Burns Dentistry, we can check out your bad breath and determine if the cause is in your mouth or if it might be acid reflux.
Don’t mask your mask breath with mints or gum. Get to the bottom of it with a visit to Burns Dentistry. Call our office in Sun City & Sun City West or click the form below to schedule an appointment today.
