Bad breath – The dental prevention and treatment – Part 1

The aim of any dental treatment is to reduce the accumulation of bacteria and the elimination of infection. Both cause bad breathe. Many factors also modify the oral environment that increases the likelihood of accumulation of bacteria and infection.

So the three prong attack against dental bad breathe is: Prevent, Treat, Maintain.

A proper dental assessment needs to be done to identify the cause of the bad breathe.

• Lack of or poor self-cleaning
  Solution:
  • Instructions into more accurate anatomical cleaning by the dentist AND do it at least once a day properly!
  • Regular examinations, ideally every six months.
• Infrequent professional cleaning
  Solution:
  • Professionally have your teeth cleaned 6 monthly or even 3 monthly in some cases.
• Decay causing holes in teeth
  Solution:
  • It might seem obvious, get fillings done to remove the decay and restore the teeth.
  • Get x-rays, called bitewings, to check for decay between the teeth on a regular basis.
  • Reduce excessive use of caffeine and sugar drinks as well as sports drinks. This makes the teeth “soft” and more prone to decay.
  • Regular fluoride treatment to prevent, and slow, or even stop very early decay.
• Calculus hiding bacteria under the gum and next to the bone
  Solution:
  • Seek professional assessment of the gums, and to find calculus on the tooth, and also within the “pocket”, between the tooth, gum and bone.
  • Remove the calculus and have treatment to reduce the pocket.
  • Be taught how to keep it out of the pocket by using special brushes, for example, caredent interdental brushes, daily.
• Gum abscess
  Solution:
  • Seek professional treatment of the abscess, due to extensive gum disease. This may mean cleaning the site, minor surgery or event removal of the associated tooth.

Next week: Bad breath – The dental prevention and treatment – Part 2