Bad breath isn’t always easy to ignore. Trying to hide it from others can affect the quality of your social interactions, and even if you manage to suppress it, you’ll still likely be able taste the odor. Occasional bad breath is common, such as when you wake up in the morning or eat an especially pungent food, like garlic. When it refuses to go away, chronic bad breath can prove a significant influence on your quality of life, and might indicate an issue that requires attention. When you visit your Livonia dentist for help with chronic bad breath (halitosis), you may be surprised to learn that it stems from poor hygiene and the excessive buildup of bacteria. Luckily, halitosis isn’t insurmountable, and in many cases, it can be conquered with better hygiene and the help of our innovative BreathRx system.
What Causes Bad Breath?
Bad breath is a symptom of a number of different issues, including dry mouth, cavities, and gum disease. In most cases, bad breath is the result of volatile sulfur compounds released by certain oral bacteria. At any given time, over 600 identifiable kinds of bacteria inhabit your mouth. When allowed to gather in force, some of them release foul-smelling sulfur gases that can overwhelm your breath. While you can’t completely eliminate bad oral bacteria, you can control their numbers. Brushing and flossing your teeth every day, as well as attending your dental checkup and cleaning every six months, helps control the germ population. However, if you need a boost to defeat bad breath, then Dr. Stewart may recommend treatment with the BreathRx system.
Prescription-Strength Breath Freshener
BreathRx is a series of hygiene products designed to specifically target the sources of bad breath. Each product contains the ingredient, ZYTEX, a unique combination of zinc, eucalyptus oil, and thymol. The system’s mouth rinse and breath spray contain the additional ingredient, cetylpyridinium chloride, which attacks and neutralizes the harmful bacteria in your mouth. Aside from bad breath, BreathRx can also reduce your risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease—also caused by excessive bacteria buildup.
About James Stewart, DDS:
Our philosophy is that excellent dental begins with developing a relationship with the patient. James Steward, DDS, and our compassionate staff proudly serve patients from Livonia, Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and all surrounding communities. To schedule an appointment, call our office today at (734) 425-4400.