Bad Breath FAQ in Orange County, California

Bad breath is basically when you feel your breath is not fresh, or you're getting a smell from it, or somebody else tells you. Sometimes a family member, colleague, or partner might say they're noticing an odor from your mouth. It's just like having body odor from any other part of your body. It's nothing to be embarrassed about, but it means that your mouth needs help. Something is going on that needs attention. You can easily go to your dentist and ask, "Hey, I'm getting bad breath. Why am I getting bad breath?" It's not hard to locate.

Bad breath is usually caused by not getting a dental cleaning or checkup regularly. It could be caused by gum disease, periodontal disease, gingivitis, or commonly known as halitosis. It could also be caused by an infected or broken tooth, which can also cause bad breath.

Halitosis is a fancy term for bad breath. It usually exists all the time and isn't just occasional. There is usually an underlying cause that needs to be found and addressed.

Yes, most definitely. Cavities and tooth decay cause bad breath. It's basically an accumulation of germs, a rotting tooth, or rotting food particles that cause the bad breath.

A tooth extraction could cause bad breath, but you should see your dentist if you're experiencing it. We can tell you if you need antibiotics or should start using a mouth rinse to get rid of it. For a couple of days, it could be normal.

Signs that bad breath is chronic include asking a family member or friend if your mouth always smells or if you notice the smell all the time. You can easily check this with a dentist.

Depending on the cause, you might need a cleaning, a cavity filled, a wisdom tooth extracted, or another type of treatment. Sometimes certain medications can also contribute to it. A dentist will review your overall profile and recommend what should be done.

Very good regular brushing with any toothpaste and flossing is the best way to get rid of bad breath. It shouldn't generally be present if you're brushing and flossing correctly. If you do have bad breath, it's probably already being caused by gum disease, periodontal disease, a cavity, or something else wrong.

You can try brushing and flossing regularly or doing warm water salt rinses to see if they'll help. If it persists for more than a day or two, you should see a dentist to ensure you're not masking or ignoring any dental disease.

You can try blowing into your hand to check for bad breath. Sometimes it's noticeable if people step away from you, your partner doesn't want to kiss you, or children complain—these are some indications.

Yes, bad breath is definitely treatable and can be completely eliminated if the underlying cause is removed.