Halitosis

More than just a lifestyle problem!

Over 90 million people struggle with chronic bad breath! The culprit? Typically, people have poor oral hygiene habits that leave decaying food particles, other debris, or bacteria in the mouth. These conditions produce volatile sulfur compounds just like those found in rotten eggs, resulting in foul-smelling breath. No wonder chewing gum, mints, or typical mouthwashes won't cure it!

But did you know that bad breath is also one of the main symptoms of an underlying periodontal condition (gum disease)? Many patients who come to us for help with halitosis often don't realize they actually have some form of gum disease. And although gum disease is terribly pervasive, it's also preventable. So even if you are coming in to see us about bad breath, we will carefully check for the warning signs of gum disease: red, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums, gums pulling away from teeth, loose or separating teeth, pus between the gum and tooth, bite changes, and/or a change in the fit of partial dentures. If we do need to treat you for gum disease, chances are we will be resolving your problem with halitosis as well.

Halitosis can also stem from other general health situations: internal infections, diabetes, kidney failure, liver malfunction, and radiation treatment for cancer. Lifestyle conditions such as stress, dieting, snoring, advancing age, and hormonal changes can also contribute to problems with halitosis.

Hygiene, Rinses, & Relationships

Regardless of the cause, bad breath is treatable! First, institute effective oral hygiene: regular professional cleanings, twice daily brushing, daily flossing, and tongue cleaning. Effective tongue cleaning with a specially designed scraper will remove bacterial build-up 10 times more effectively than a toothbrush. Second, if your meticulous hygiene is insufficient for eliminating bad breath, invest in a professional breath kit such as the CloSYSII (available at www.rowpar.com), which includes a specially formulated toothpaste, a chlorine-stabilized rinse that destroys those odorous volatile sulfur compounds for up to 5 hours, and tongue scraper. Most people notice an immediate improvement. And better breath means better relationships!

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19 Legion Drive • Bergenfield, NJ 07621
201-384-2425 phone • 201-384-5642 fax

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