Halitosis, or bad breath, can be a frustrating and embarrassing problem to deal with because of the negative impact it can have on your daily interactions. At Geller Family Dental, Dr. Andrew Geller and his team are trained to get to the source of the problem to help you breathe comfortably. If you’re in the area of Bronxville, New York, call for an appointment, or schedule a visit using the online booking tool.

Bad Breath (Halitosis) Q & A

What is halitosis?

Halitosis is the technical term for a common condition: bad breath. While morning breath or certain foods can temporarily cause bad breath, chronic halitosis is often impervious to the myriad products promising fresh breath, such as rinses and gum.

Often, the source of this smell is an issue that a few simple measures can correct, but halitosis can also be rooted in a more severe problem that bears a more aggressive treatment.

What causes halitosis?

Here are some of the more common causes of halitosis:

Food

Certain foods, especially items like onions or garlic, leave your mouth more prone to a foul odor.

Dry mouth

Your saliva is designed to break down the particles of food in your mouth, keeping your mouth clean and free of bacteria and odor. Sometimes, certain medications or lifestyle habits, such as smoking, lead to a decrease in saliva production. Morning breath is attributed to a harmless daily cycle of dry mouth since your body doesn’t produce much saliva while you sleep.

Poor hygiene

If your daily oral care isn’t sufficient, you leave yourself open to halitosis, because you’re not eliminating food and bacteria properly.

Respiratory infections

Throat, sinus, or lung infections can cause temporary halitosis.

Decay

More often than not, tooth decay and gum disease lead to malodorous breath.

While these are the most common culprits behind halitosis, more severe conditions, such as diabetes or acid reflux, can result in chronic halitosis.

How can halitosis be treated?

If you suffer from chronic halitosis, Dr. Geller works with you to get to the underlying cause of the problem and typically starts with a more aggressive cleaning regimen. Through increased at-home daily care, as well as professional cleanings, halitosis is treatable.

If tooth decay or gum disease are at the heart of the issue, Dr. Geller works to remedy these conditions, which will eliminate your bad breath as a result. In fact, once he diagnoses the cause of your halitosis, he works with you to clear it up as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Don’t live with the negative impact of halitosis longer than you have to. Call Geller Family Dental or book an appointment online to get started on a treatment that will have you interacting confidently again.