How a Dental Cleaning Helps Prevent Bad Breath

If you're new to dentistry, you might be wondering what cleanings have to do with inadequate breath prevention. Bad breath is a common problem and one that no one wants to talk about, but dental cleaning can fix it. It's embarrassing and can happen for many reasons, including eating certain foods, having gum disease, or not brushing your teeth regularly. In this article, we'll discuss the connection between oral hygiene and halitosis (bad breath).

What causes bad breath?

Bad breath is caused by the presence of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). VSCs are produced when bacteria in your mouth break down proteins and dead cells on teeth, gums, and tongue. If you suffer from bad breath, you may have an overgrowth of harmful oral bacteria.

What do dental cleanings have to do with bad breath?

Cleaning appointments help prevent VSCs from forming in your mouth. During a routine appointment, we'll thoroughly examine the health of your teeth and gums. If plaque or tartar is present (two leading causes of gum disease), we'll remove them using special tools like scrapers and power washers.

If you have gum disease, your gums will appear redder than usual or may bleed when you're brushing your teeth. Plaque is a sticky yellow film that forms on surfaces of the mouth where saliva mixes with food debris. It's made up of bacteria cells, dead skin cells, proteins from saliva, and food particles. If not removed regularly, plaque can harden into tartar (also known as calculus). Tartar causes gums to recede from the surface of teeth, which can lead to bone loss around your roots.

Cleanings are essential for both prevention and treatment of bad breath because they remove harmful bacteria before it has a chance to cause tooth decay or gum disease. At your next appointment, be sure to bring up any concerns you have about bad breath and how it's impacting your life. 

What can a cleaning do for my breath?

A dental cleaning will help remove the bacteria that cause bad breath and keep your mouth clean. During a regular dental appointment, our hygienist or dentist may look for signs of gum disease. This is an infection caused by plaque buildup along the gum line. Once detected, oral hygiene instructions can be given to help prevent the recurrence of gum disease.

Professional cleaning is an excellent way to prevent bad breath and maintain oral health! If you suffer from halitosis, you should make an appointment to see your dentist or hygienist.

What can I do at home?

Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste using an ADA-approved soft bristle brush. Floss once per day to remove food particles and plaque from between the teeth. Use mouthwash that contains 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate or higher to kill bacteria in areas where it's hard to reach, like under the gums. In between your cleanings, brush the tongue with a soft toothbrush to help remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Clean up after yourself! If you have been snacking on stinky foods like onions or garlic, drink water to rinse out your mouth before going in public. Avoid smoking as second-hand smoke can also cause bad breath.

How often should I get a cleaning?

The American Dental Association recommends visiting the dentist every six months for a dental cleaning to help maintain good oral health and prevent gum disease or other problems that can lead to bad breath. If you have certain risk factors for developing periodontal (gum) disease, including smoking, diabetes, pregnancy, or taking certain medications, follow your dentist's advice for how often you should visit the office.

Request an appointment here: https://www.southfloridadentalarts.com or call South Florida Dental Arts at (305) 230-4041 for an appointment in our Miami office.

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