Patient Services > Bad Breath Treatment

What can be done about bad breath?
Regular checkups allow us to detect problems such as periodontal (gum) disease, dry mouth or other problems that may cause bad breath. Maintaining good oral hygiene, eliminating periodontal (gum) disease and having regular cleanings are crucial to reducing or eliminating bad breath.

Whatever the cause of bad breath, good oral hygiene can make a difference, especially brushing twice a day (including your tongue) and flossing. If you are a denture wearer, remove them at night and clean thoroughly before wearing them the next morning.

What is the treatment for bad breath?
If we determine that the cause of your bad breath is not your oral health, we may refer you to your family physician or a specialist to find the cause and for treatment. If the problem is a result of your oral health, as is the case the majority of the time, we can treat the cause of the odor.

If the odor is caused by periodontal (gum) disease, we can treat the disease or refer you to a periodontist, who is a specialist in treating gum tissues. Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection that can cause gum tissues to recede from the teeth and leave deep pockets which require a professional periodontal cleaning to remove the bacteria and plaque that gather. Occasionally, more extensive treatment is needed.

If you have extensive plaque build-up, we may recommend using an antimicrobial mouthrinse. We may also suggest that when you brush, you also brush your tongue to remove excess plaque.