W232 S7590 Woodland Lane, Big Bend, WI 53103, (262) 662-3066
Testimonials
05/02/22 Holly M. The entire staff is amazing rom check in to check out.
04/29/22 Tyler T. Best dentist I've ever been to.
June 8 2021 Christine M. Excellent care, wonderful staff, very compassionate and caring
July 9, 2020 Derek W. Always prompt and clean. The staff is extremely friendly.
July 3,2020 Crystal H The staff here is wonderful!!! They are so great with children and go above and beyond to make them have a positive experience.
June 14 2020 Amy S. Everyone at Woodland Dental is super friendly and they alsways take care of there patients needs.
July 9,2019 Terry O. Been going to Woodland Dental from the day they opened. Their staff is extremely welcoming. Dr Zelko and Dr Nelson are excellent with both kids and adults. Truly happy with the whole staff.
We all experience the occasional bout of bad breath from dry mouth or after eating certain foods. Chronic halitosis, on the other hand, could have an underlying health cause like periodontal (gum) disease, sinus infections or even systemic illnesses like diabetes. Anyone with persistent halitosis should undergo a thorough examination to determine the root cause.
If such an examination rules out a more serious cause, it’s then possible the particular population of bacteria that inhabit your mouth (out of a possible 600 or more strains) and your body’s response makes you more susceptible to halitosis. After feeding on food remnants, dead skin cells or post-nasal drip, certain types of bacteria excrete volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) that give off an odor similar to “rotten eggs.”
In this case, we want to reduce the bacterial population through plaque removal, which in turn reduces the levels of VSCs. Our approach then is effective oral hygiene and perhaps a few cleanings — the basics every person should practice for good oral health — along with a few extra measures specific to chronic halitosis.
This calls for brushing and flossing your teeth daily. This will remove much of the plaque, the main breeding and feeding ground for bacteria, that has accumulated over the preceding twenty-four hours. In some cases, we may also recommend the use of an interproximal brush that is more adept in removing plaque clinging to areas between the teeth.
You may also need to pay special attention in cleaning another oral structure contributing to your bad breath — your tongue. The back of the tongue in particular is a “hideout” for bacteria: relatively dry and poorly cleansed because of its convoluted microscopic structure, bacteria often thrive undisturbed under a continually-forming tongue coating. Simply brushing the tongue may not be enough — you may also need to use a tongue scraper, a dental device that removes this coating. (For more information, see the Dear Doctor article, “Tongue Scraping.”)
Last but not least, visit our office for cleanings and checkups at least twice a year. Professional cleanings remove bacterial plaque and calculus (hardened plaque deposits) you’re unable to reach and remove with daily hygiene measures. Following this and the other steps described above will go a long way toward eliminating your bad breath, as well as enhancing your total oral health.
If you would like more information on treating chronic bad breath, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Bad Breath: More Than Just Embarrassing.”
Dentist - Big Bend, Woodland Dental Group, W232 S7590 Woodland Lane, Big Bend, WI 53103 (262) 662-3066