Nothing’s more embarrassing than to be involved in a conversation and notice that the person you’re talking to backs up as an obvious reaction to the smell of your breath. This can leave you feeling withdrawn and less confident. Thankfully, your dentist has proven remedies that can rectify the situation and fully restore your oral health. Learn about the solutions available as you read on.
What Causes Bad Breath?
The first step to treating bad breath is to identify what causes it. Here are some of the biggest culprits:
- Diet – There are certain foods and spices that should either be avoided or limited if you desire to prevent incidents of bad breath. Some of the main ones are onions, garlic, cumin and curry.
- Dry Mouth – Having dry mouth also contributes majorly to developing bad breath. That’s because there isn’t enough saliva present to maintain a healthy pH level in the mouth. Thus, the acidic environment is more conducive to bacteria growth.
- Bacteria – The bacterium is the main source of the problem when you have bad breath. That’s because it produces a form of sulfuric acid that leaves a pungent smell.
- Tobacco Products – Not only will smoking or chewing tobacco cause health problems, it will also lead to unpleasant breath. That’s because the toxins will suffocate your oral cavity and prevent the proper flow of oxygen and blood. The result will be a consistently bad odor.
- Certain Medical Conditions – One of the side effects of some medications is that they’ll cause halitosis. You’ll need to talk to your primary physician about any possible alternatives.
Now that you know what causes the majority of the cases of bad breath, let’s look at ways to treat it.
How to Reverse Halitosis (Bad Breath)
If you’re suffering from chronically bad breath, here are some changes that you can make in your oral hygiene:
- Brush Your Teeth More Often – The more frequently you brush your teeth, the better you’ll be able to control the bacteria that contribute to bad breath.
- Use a Tongue Scraper – Another valuable tool that you can start incorporating into your oral hygiene routine is tongue scraping. The apparatus is placed at the back of your tongue and then gently moved forward to the tip. As you do this, the scraper manages to unseat the bacteria that can get trapped between the tiny bumps on your tongue called the papillae.
- Start Flossing – Brushing your teeth and tongue scraping aren’t enough. That’s because neither of them can penetrate the tight area between your teeth. To accomplish that, you’ll need to floss. By doing this at least once a day, you’ll be able to address 40 percent of the food particles and bacteria that would otherwise be left to fester.
For special situations where the problem of halitosis is more acute, your dentist may recommend using an antimicrobial mouthwash. The best way to determine what will be needed is to go in for a visit, though.
So no longer will you have to live with the fear of whether your breath will be offensive when you reach out to your local dentist for treatment today.
About the Author
Dr. Charles Walker earned his dental degree from the University of San Francisco School of Dentistry and has gone on to provide expert and compassionate care for three decades. Additionally, his undergraduate background in cellular biology has helped him to gain a better grasp of how bacteria function in your mouth. He helps patients enjoy fresh breath at Confident Brilliant Smiles and can be reached for more information through his website.