It’s a delicate topic, bad breath. No one wants it, and no one wants to be close to someone who has it. If you or someone you love suffers from halitosis, which is the clinical name for bad breath, the information in this article will help.
Once you know the causes of bad breath and how to treat or eliminate them, you’ll be on the path to fresh breath and improved self-confidence.
In today’s post, we’ll explain:
- Causes of bad breath
- Cures for bad breath
- Quick Tips for Beating Bad Breath
- How to get professional help
Causes of Bad Breath
Bad breath can develop for many reasons, so let’s review the most common causes of halitosis.
- Poor oral hygiene
- Poor dental health
- Dry mouth
- Allergies
- Acid reflux
- An acidic diet
- A high-sugar diet
- A ketogenic (keto) diet
- Smoking/tobacco use
- Eating odiferous foods
- Other medical issues
Some of these topics can be directly addressed, while others cannot. If medical issues cause bad breath, and those issues are being treated but halitosis persists, you may have to rely on mints, gum, and mouthwash to freshen your breath. However, issues like poor oral hygiene, smoking, and dietary causes of halitosis, can be directly addressed with lifestyle changes. This is good news because it means your halitosis might be curable.
Cures for Bad Breath
The simple and effective cure for poor oral health and hygiene is to:
- Go to the dentist for a checkup and cleaning
- If the dentist provided a treatment plan, follow through with the dental work
- Go to the dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning
- Purchase the correct products for brushing and flossing at home
- A soft-bristled toothbrush
- Fluoridated toothpaste
- A tongue scraper
- Alcohol-free, fluoridated mouthwash
- Dental floss or pre-threaded flossers
- Floss before brushing in the evening
- Brush twice a day, once after breakfast and once after dinner
- When you brush, also use your tongue scraper and finish with mouthwash
If you suffer from dry mouth, purchase an over-the-counter artificial saliva spray or gel to rehydrate your mouth as needed. Drink water throughout the day and chew sugar-free gum to stimulate natural saliva production.
Both acid reflux and allergies can be treated with over-the-counter medications, taken as per the label and with your doctor’s approval. If over-the-counter remedies aren’t effective, talk with your physician or Metro Dental Care dentist for professional assistance.
If you suspect that your diet is causing halitosis, talk with your physician or your Metro Dental Care dentist about healthy ways to amend your diet.
If you smoke and have trouble quitting, talk with your physician or Metro Dental Care dentist for professional smoking cessation treatments.
If you like to eat smelly foods like fish, garlic, onion, or curry, brush and floss after eating, use mint mouthwash, and chew sugar-free gum. Your bad breath may persist until the smelly foods have completely left your body.
If medical issues or treatments cause your breath to smell bad, talk with your physician or Metro Dental Care dentist about professional treatment options.
Quick Tips for Beating Bad Breath
- Drink lots of water all day, every day
- Chew sugar-free gum or use sugar-free mints
- Keep a small bag of teeth-brushing and flossing supplies on your person for quick hygiene on the go
- If you have dry mouth, also keep your artificial saliva on hand at all times
How to Get Professional Help
The tips in this article should help you thwart halitosis, but it’s also important to talk with your dentist about any oral health concerns, including bad breath. Call Metro Dental Care in Denver today at 303.534.2626 to schedule your appointment. We can recommend professional breath treatments if needed, and our team is always happy to share information about how to brush and floss effectively.
