Significance of Bad Breath

Bad breath is embarrassing. And it goes deeper than just making you self-conscious about your breath. Bad breath can be a sign of something more serious.

Many of the causes of bad breath are related to oral health, including tooth decay and gum disease. Taking care of your teeth and gums, and visiting your dentist regularly, can help you avoid bad breath and more serious dental problems.

Causes of Bad Breath

There are a variety of common causes of halitosis. Bacteria are a common cause of bad breath. However, if the bad breath is chronic, there may be other underlying causes. Cigarette smokers are at a greater risk of developing bad breath.

In addition to bacteria and smoking, dry mouth, tooth decay, and sinus infections can all contribute to bad breath. Dry mouth is most common in children and older adults. If dry mouth is the cause of your bad breath, you can prevent it by taking frequent sips of water. Foods such as garlic and onions can also cause bad breath, but you can get rid of it with good oral hygiene.

Treatments for Bad Breath

Maintaining Good Dental Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is the foundation of healthy teeth and gums. Bacteria can build up in the mouth and turn into halitosis (bad breath). Brushing and flossing regularly to remove food particles and plaque from the teeth can help to prevent bad breath.

Consider using a mouth rinse or toothpaste designed to treat bad breath. These products have antibacterial and antiseptic properties to help prevent bacteria from building up in the mouth.

Quit Smoking

Smoking is one of the major causes of bad breath. If you smoke or chew tobacco, the chemicals in these products stain your teeth and irritate your gums. Smoking also dries out your mouth, making it easier for odor-causing bacteria to grow.

Quitting smoking not only helps your teeth and gums, but it can help your overall health as well.

Consume a Healthy Diet

When your mouth is unhealthy, your breath can indicate it. An unhealthy mouth can be the result of a poor diet and can lead to bad breath. So, make sure to consume food that is healthy for your oral and overall health.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

During your regular dental checkups, we can monitor the health of your teeth and gums. Gum disease is the most common cause of bad breath, so by monitoring the health of your gums, we can also monitor the health of your breath. If we notice signs of gum disease, we can discuss treatment options with you.

Specialty Breath Fresheners

There are a few specialty breath fresheners available, such as:

Mouthwashes: Mouthwashes kill bad bacteria and leave behind a fresh, minty taste.

Tongue scrapers: Tongue scrapers remove the buildup of plaque and bacteria from the tongue, an area not reached by brushing.

Mouth sprays: Mouth sprays contain alcohol or other compounds that kill bad bacteria.