Halitosis Treatment
Bad breath is almost always treatable — once you find the real cause. We diagnose what's actually happening and build you a plan that works.
Mints don't fix the problem. We do.
Chronic bad breath — halitosis — affects roughly one in four adults at some point. It's not a hygiene failure; it's a signal that something specific is going on. About 85% of cases originate in the mouth: sulphur-producing bacteria on the tongue, untreated gum disease, decay, dry mouth, or food trapped in old fillings.
The remaining cases trace to sinus issues, reflux, certain medications, or systemic conditions like diabetes. The right treatment depends entirely on the right diagnosis — which is why a thorough exam is the place to start.
We'll figure out what's actually causing it, treat the source, and give you a simple home routine that keeps your breath fresh between visits.
How we find — and fix — the source
Detailed exam
We assess your gums, teeth, tongue, saliva flow and bite. We also ask about medications, diet and any other symptoms.
Targeted cleaning
If gum disease is involved, we'll do a deeper scaling. We also professionally clean the tongue's surface, where most odor bacteria live.
Treat what we find
Cavities filled, leaky restorations replaced, dry mouth managed, gum pockets reduced. We tackle the real cause, not the symptom.
Home routine that works
We send you home with a tongue scraper, the right rinse for your situation, and a brushing/flossing routine tuned to your mouth.
The Lac La Biche Smiles difference.
Diagnosis first — we don't guess, we find the cause
Discreet, judgment-free conversations
Most patients see clear improvement within 1–2 visits
Long-term solutions, not temporary masking
Your questions, answered.
Why doesn't mouthwash work for me?
Most rinses just mask odor for an hour or two. If the cause is gum disease, tongue bacteria or a decayed tooth, no rinse will fix it — only treating the source will.
Could it be coming from my stomach?
It can, in a minority of cases — reflux is the most common GI cause. We rule out oral sources first since 80–90% of halitosis starts in the mouth.
How long until my breath is fresh again?
Many patients notice a clear difference within a week of treating the cause. Cases involving gum disease may take 4–6 weeks of healing for full results.
Is bad breath always a sign of disease?
Not always — but persistent, daily bad breath that doesn't go away with brushing usually is. It's worth investigating rather than ignoring.
Ready to book your visit?
Same-day appointments, direct insurance billing, and a friendly team that puts you at ease. We can't wait to meet you.