When your persistent bad breath affects your self-confidence, it’s time to figure out what is causing it. Many of our patients at Dental Express in San Diego, CA ask us, “Do cavities cause bad breath?” During a dental exam at our dental office, our professional team can evaluate your oral health and discuss your oral hygiene routine to help fix your bad breath. At this visit, we can look for signs of tooth decay.
Causes of bad breath
Bad breath occurs because of the accumulation of bacteria in your mouth. There are many causes of bad breath, including:
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Poor oral hygiene
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Bacteria on the tongue
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Gingivitis
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Dry mouth
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Tooth decay
If your bad breath is due to tooth decay, cavity treatment is necessary. When bacteria get stuck, it can accumulate in decay pockets, which makes it hard to keep your mouth clean and, in turn, your breath fresh. So, yes, cavities can cause bad breath.
What is a cavity?
Cavities are damaged areas of a tooth that develop into holes. When left untreated, they will get larger and affect the deep layers of a tooth and, sometimes, require dental root canal therapy. They can lead to infection, tooth loss, and pain. Regular dental exams, and good brushing and flossing habits at home help protect you against developing a cavity.
Some signs that you may have a cavity include:
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Tooth sensitivity
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Toothache
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Pain while chewing or biting
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Holes or pits on the teeth
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Staining on the surface of your tooth
Regular dental exams can detect a cavity early on before it damages your tooth further. When you’re experiencing mouth pain or a toothache, it’s important to schedule an appointment at Dental Express in San Diego, CA as soon as possible.
Tooth decay treatment
Tooth colored fillings can help restore a tooth, both in appearance and function. After we remove the decay from the tooth, we will seal the tooth with a composite resin tooth-colored filling. The tooth is polished to match your existing teeth. Composite resin is a durable material that can correct excessive wear from teeth grinding and chips too. It blends well with natural teeth and can be used on both front or back teeth. If you have metal fillings, we can remove them and replace them with tooth-colored fillings to improve your health and create a beautiful, natural-looking smile. Your tooth-colored filling needs to be cared for the same as a natural tooth with regular brushing and flossing.
Learn more about tooth decay treatment to improve bad breath
One of the easiest ways to prevent bad breath and cavities is with an efficient oral hygiene routine at home. Brush at least twice a day and floss at least once to ensure you remove all bacteria and food particles that can lead to a cavity. To learn more about how to treat bad breath, schedule an appointment with our professional team at Dental Express in San Diego, CA, today.