Bad breath – how to treat halitosis
A dentist will assess the condition of your oral and dental health and give you personal recommendations on how often you should have a dental check-up.
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Book an dental fear check-upBad breath in a nutshell
- If your breath smells often, please visit your dentist to find out why.
- Bad breath can be caused, for example, by gingivitis, tartar or tooth fillings in poor condition.
- Good home care helps. Remember to clean the interdental spaces and the tongue every day.
What causes bad breath or halitosis?
Do you often breathe in your hand and smell to tell whether it smells bad? A lot of people do the same, and it's no wonder. Smelly breath or fear of it raises concerns and can affect social life – and can be very stressful.
If your breath smells rotten often, think about the condition of your oral hygiene: do you brush your teeth twice a day and also remember to clean the interdental spaces and the tongue? For example, you may have gingivitis or periodontitis in your mouth, which are typical causes of bad breath.
Particularly in young people, the bad smell in the mouth may be caused by a partially erupted wisdom tooth. Food easily accumulates under the gum of a partially erupted tooth, which can cause the bad smell.
In addition to inflammation or periodontitis, bad breath can also be caused by:
- debris on the tongue
- dry mouth
- bad tooth fillings or caries which accumulate leftovers and plaque
- respiratory tract infections
- reflux symptoms
- white bacterial spots on the tonsils (tonsil stones)
The bad smell of a healthy mouth is probably due to food or drink. Coffee, alcohol and heavily flavoured foods can make your breath smell, not to mention garlic! Many smokers also have bad breath.
How to solve the problem of a stinky breath?
Bad breath – when should I see a dentist?
If smelly breath is not just an occasional nuisance, you should make an appointment with a dentist. The dentist will check whether the bad smell in the mouth is caused by, for example, gingivitis, tartar or bad tooth fillings.
You can also ask your dentist if your breath smells if you are afraid to ask your loved ones.
You shouldn't avoid going to the dentist because you haven't treated your mouth perfectly and you think your breath smells bad. Treating halitosis is a daily routine for dentists. The most important thing is that you come to the appointment.
When you have regular dental check-ups, it is easier to prevent bad breath.
What can I do at home if my breath stinks?
Take care of your teeth more diligently. Your breath will stay fresher like this:
- Remember to brush your teeth twice a day.
- Use fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean your tongue daily with a tongue scraper or toothbrush.
- Remember to clean the spaces between your teeth daily. If your interdental spaces are tricky to clean, your dentist or dental hygienist will advise you on the appropriate means and equipment.
- Drink enough water.
- Have your teeth checked regularly. Your dentist will tell you what a suitable check-up interval is for your mouth.
Consulted specialist in the article
Revised 12/28/2022
Service | Mobile Benefit price | Hinta-arvio |
---|---|---|
Dental check-up | 51.00 € Without Kela reimbursement 81.00 € | |
Dental check-up for patients with dental fear | 88.00 € Without Kela reimbursement 118.00 € | |
Lasten ja nuorten hammastarkastus Hinnat sisältävät poliklinikkamaksun (33,90 €). Varaa lasten ja nuorten hammastarkastus Prices 165.75–232.75 €, without Kela reimbursement 185.90–252.90 € | from 165.75 € Without Kela reimbursement from 185.90 € | |
Dental X-ray of the teeth and jaws | Mobile Benefit 95.00 € The price with a doctor's referral after Kela compensation is €80. | 106.00 € Without Kela reimbursement 115.00 € |
Tartar removal 30–45 minute appointment with a dental hygienist. Prices 126.00–171.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 134.00–189.00 € | from 126.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 134.00 € | |
Dental fillings 1–3 surfaces. Prices 91.00–253.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 101.00–276.00 € | from 91.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 101.00 € | |
Ceramic filling of the tooth 1–3 surfaces. Prices 271.00–693.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 271.00–750.00 € | from 271.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 271.00 € | |
Dental ceramic crown Laboratory costs are not included in the price estimate. Prices 598.00–755.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 598.00–755.00 € | from 598.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 598.00 € | |
Chipped tooth Prices 91.00–253.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 101.00–276.00 € | from 91.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 101.00 € | |
Tooth extraction Prices 105.00–709.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 115.00–771.00 € | from 105.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 115.00 € | |
Tooth whitening Price estimate given at the free consultation appointment. Prices 95.00–436.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 95.00–436.00 € | from 95.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 95.00 € | |
Whitening consultation appointment Includes an individual price estimate for teeth whitening. | Free Kela reimbursement deducted from the price | |
Anaesthesia Prices 36.00–37.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 39.00–40.00 € | from 36.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 39.00 € |
Frequently asked questions about bad breath
Mouthwash can bring relief for a short while. However, it does not help the root causes of bad breath.
If you do not take sufficient care of your oral hygiene, the bacteria of the mouth will produce sulphur compounds. Sulphur compounds cause bad breath, which can really smell a little rotten.
In small children, bad breath may be caused by a so-called milk tongue. Small children often drink a lot of milk, which forms a stinky coating on the surface of the tongue.