Bad Breath Treatment in Brentwood, CA

Everyone experiences bad breath occasionally, but persistent bad breath, also called halitosis, may be a sign of an underlying oral health problem. If brushing, flossing, or breath mints do not improve your breath, professional evaluation can help identify the cause.

At Marsh Creek Dental, we provide personalized bad breath treatment in Brentwood, CA. Our dental team can evaluate your teeth, gums, and oral hygiene habits to determine what may be contributing to persistent mouth odor and recommend appropriate treatment.

What is Halitosis?

Halitosis is the medical term for persistent or noticeable bad breath. Temporary bad breath can result from foods, beverages, dry mouth, or not cleaning your teeth and tongue regularly. In many cases, improving daily oral hygiene can help freshen your breath.

However, chronic bad breath that continues despite good oral hygiene may be associated with gum disease, tooth decay, bacteria on the tongue, dry mouth, or another oral health concern. If your bad breath does not improve, schedule a dental examination to help determine the underlying cause.

What Causes Halitosis?

Halitosis is typically a warning sign of other oral health problems. Common causes include:
  • Gum disease: Built-up plaque and tartar on the teeth can attack your gums, causing infections in the sensitive tissues, teeth and tooth roots.
  • Poor oral hygiene: Forgetting to practice good brushing and flossing habits can leave food particles between your teeth. These particles cause bacteria to grow in your mouth on your teeth and tongue, impacting your breath odor.
  • Poorly fitting dental appliances: A poor-fitting oral appliance can trap food particles and debris, affecting your breath.
  • Cavities and severe tooth decay: If left untreated, even small cavities can become a bigger and more painful problem. This decay will eventually cause bad breath as your teeth break down over time.
  • Dry mouth: Your saliva naturally rinses your mouth and cleans out bacteria and food particles. If your mouth stops producing enough saliva due to prescribed medications or other health conditions, it can give you bad breath.
Many medical conditions, illnesses and diseases can also cause halitosis. Call your doctor if you believe your halitosis is caused by an infection or illness. Common bad breath-causing conditions include:
  • Respiratory tract infections
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic acid reflux and other gastrointestinal problems
  • Liver or kidney problems

How Do You Treat Halitosis?

We offer comprehensive halitosis treatment to all our patients, depending on their needs. Our treatments include:
  • Medicated mouth rinses and antibacterial toothpastes: We can prescribe special rinses and toothpastes to clear out any bacteria or infections that are affecting your breath.
  • Gum disease treatment: By treating the underlying causes of your halitosis, we can improve your overall oral health and remedy your bad breath.
  • Oral hygiene education: Great hygiene is the foundation of great oral health. We will work with you to develop good dental health habits to keep your mouth and teeth healthy.
  • Professional cleaning: A professional cleaning twice a year will ensure your teeth are free of infection-causing plaque and keep your breath fresh.

Most popular and trending Bad Breath Questions

Bad breath that just won’t go away or a constant bad taste in your mouth can be a warning sign of advanced gum disease, which is caused by a sticky, cavity-causing bacteria called plaque. Garlic, onions, coffee… The list of breath-offending foods is long, and what you eat affects the air you exhale.
Halitosis is caused by sulphur-producing bacteria in the tongue and throat. The major causes include a dry mouth caused by certain foods, smoking, poor oral hygiene and a coated tongue. The treatment of halitosis will depend on the underlying cause.
Try the sniff test—there are a couple of ways to do it. If you lick your wrist, let it dry for a moment, then take a whiff, you should be able to get an idea if your breath has an odour too. Another method is to floss towards the back of your mouth, then smell the floss.