General Dentistry

Bad Breath

IN EVERETT, WA

Persistent halitosis has treatable causes. We help you find and fix them.

Why mouthwash is not the answer

Breath fresheners mask odour for an hour or two. If bad breath returns as soon as they wear off, something is producing it — and that cause is usually identifiable.

The most common source is bacteria: on the tongue, below the gum line, or around decay and failing restorations. Gum disease in particular produces a persistent odour that no amount of brushing will shift until the disease itself is treated.

Other contributors include dry mouth (often a side effect of medication), sinus and tonsil conditions, reflux, certain diets, and smoking. Part of our job is working out which of these applies to you rather than guessing.

Halitosis has a cause, and in most cases the cause is treatable. What it is not is a hygiene failing — plenty of people with meticulous routines have persistent bad breath, because brushing does not reach the places producing it: the back of the tongue, the pockets below the gum line, and the margins of failing restorations.

The awkward part is that you cannot reliably smell your own breath. If someone has told you, or if you have started keeping your distance in conversation, that is worth an appointment rather than another mouthwash. We will find the source, and if it turns out to be medical rather than dental — reflux, sinus or tonsil conditions, or a medication drying your mouth — we will tell you that too.

Signs the cause is dental rather than dietary

  • Breath fresheners work for an hour or two and the odour returns unchanged.
  • Your gums bleed when brushing, or you have been told you have gum disease.
  • There is a persistent bad taste, or a dry mouth that never quite settles.
  • A tooth is broken, or a filling or crown has failed, leaving somewhere for food and bacteria to sit.

What to expect

Start with an exam — it rules the dental causes in or out quickly.

  1. 1 Find the source A full examination of teeth, gums, tongue and restorations, plus a review of your medications and health history.
  2. 2 Treat what we find Decay, gum disease and failing restorations are treated directly. Improvement is usually rapid once the cause is addressed.
  3. 3 Refer if needed If the source is not dental, we will say so and point you to the right specialist rather than treating you indefinitely.

Day to day

Clean your tongue as well as your teeth — a large share of odour-producing bacteria live on its surface. Stay hydrated, and if you take a medication that dries your mouth, tell us; there are practical measures that help.

Common questions about bad breath

Why does mouthwash not fix it?
Most mouthwashes mask odour rather than removing what produces it, and alcohol-based rinses can dry the mouth, which makes matters worse over time. Saliva is the mouth's own defence — anything that reduces it tends to increase odour.
Could bad breath mean gum disease?
It is one of the most common causes. The bacteria in periodontal pockets produce sulphur compounds with a characteristic smell, and because gum disease is usually painless until it is advanced, bad breath is sometimes the first sign anyone notices.
Should I be cleaning my tongue?
Yes. A large share of odour-producing bacteria live on the tongue's surface, particularly towards the back. A tongue scraper or a soft brush used gently, once a day, makes a noticeable difference for many people.
Can medication cause bad breath?
Indirectly, often. Hundreds of common medications reduce saliva flow as a side effect, and a dry mouth allows odour-producing bacteria to flourish. Do not stop a prescribed medication — tell us, and we can suggest ways to manage the dryness.
What happens at an appointment for bad breath?
We look for the source: gum measurements, decay, failing restorations, tongue coating, and signs of dry mouth. Once we know what is producing it, treatment is usually straightforward — and if the cause sits outside dentistry, we will point you to the right place.

Questions about bad breath?

We'll walk you through the options, the costs, and what to expect.

Madison Street Dental Clinic serves Everett and the surrounding communities of Marysville, Mukilteo, Mill Creek, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Lynnwood and Bothell.

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