I’m very frustrated and, honestly, a little embarrassed. I generally take good care of my teeth, but the other day my boyfriend said that I had bad breath. I was mortified. He said it’s been that way for a few months and didn’t know how to tell me. I went into my office for a check-up and the dentist said I needed some kind of a deep cleaning. This doesn’t make any sense to me, since it hasn’t been that long. I think he’s missing some kind of underlying problem. Would a holistic dentist be able to help me or are there any home remedies I should try first? — Amber
Dear Amber,
There’s a very good chance a holistic dentist will offer an alternative. However, if you have gum disease or if it’s been more than a year since your last cleaning, you may need a deeper cleaning anyway. A lot of the time, bad breath is caused by bacteria or buildup. In these situations, extra time with the hygienist and improving home-care can help. A holistic dentist will probably examine your health history and diet thoroughly to make sure that no other triggers have been missed. Because they’re more focused on your body as a whole and how everything works together, they may be more likely to catch a cause that doesn’t directly involve your mouth.
In the meantime, make sure you’re well-hydrated and keeping up with brushing and flossing. Avoid using alcohol-based mouthwash, because it can dry out your gums and it also kills the good bacteria in your mouth too. Be sure to give your tongue a good scrub and maybe even invest in a tongue scraper. It’s probably wise to avoid anything that simply masks the scent, because it will make you more prone to rely on it, rather than finding out what the real underlying issue is. While your regular office may be correct that you need a deeper cleaning, a second option never hurts.
This blog post is brought to you by Des Moines cosmetic dentist, Dr. Phelan Thomas. For more information on the services he provides, please visit his Des Moines cosmetic dentist website.