How to Prevent Bad Breath

No one likes having bad breath, it’s not only embarrassing and tough on people around you, but it can also be a sign of a serious health condition. Although many people experience bad breath at some point in their life, it’s really hard to tell if you have it and people are hesitant to tell you.

If you want to know if your breath is bad, ask someone you trust or your significant other. Fortunately, you can easily fix bad breath by having good oral hygiene, visiting your dentist regularly, and ruling out the possibility of an underlying health problem or other factors like medications, foods, and diet.

Many things can cause bad breath and while some causes are harmless, sometimes having an odor coming from the mouth can indicate a more serious problem. Studies indicate that approximately 80 percent of bad breath is from an oral source. Cavities and gum disease can result in bad breath. Food particles trapped in tonsils may also contribute to the problem. When you have less-than-clean dentures or cracked filings, it could lead to odor in the mouth.

Medical conditions like liver disease, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, and respiratory tract infections are also a culprit. It’s important that you see a doctor, to rule out health conditions that lead to bad breath like acid reflux, chronic dry mouth also known as xerostomia, and postnasal drip.

Smoking stains teeth and causes poor oral health. It also puts you at risk of having other health problems including gum disease. Many people who smoke may not realize their bad breath because smoking affects their sense of smell.

If you practice good dental hygiene by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day but you still have bad breath, it could be a result of your diet intake. Some foods contribute to bad breath, for example, garlic and onions have smelly sulfur compounds that linger in the mouth. Those substances are absorbed in the blood and released when a person exhales.

Alcoholic drinks and coffee create an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria, which may lead to foul smelling breath. They can cause dry mouth that reduces the flow of saliva and allows bacteria that causes bad odor to linger.

If you are experiencing bad breath, there are things you can do to prevent or stop it. Brushing three times a day and cleaning between your teeth with dental floss helps to do away with bacteria and debris that causes poor oral hygine. When you stick out your tongue and look at the back, there can be a brown or white coating. It’s that coat where you find the majority of bacteria that causes bad breath. You can use a tongue scraper or toothbrush to clear the coating.

Over-the-counter mouthwashes are a good weapon you can use to kill bacteria. The mouthwash can also neutralize and mask bad breath; however, that’s only a short-term solution. People who wear removable dentures need to clean them regularly. You need to take them out during the night and clean them the next morning before you use them again.

Eating healthy foods like carrots and apples that require chewing helps saliva flow in your mouth. If you smoke, you should give up the habit because it’s harmful to your health. When you quit smoking, it not only brings better breath but also enhances your quality of life. Maintaining healthy balanced diets and avoiding foods that cause bad breath like onions, garlic, and other spicy foods will help prevent bad odors.

Here’s some additional tips on prevention.

If you have bad breath that comes along with other oral symptoms, you should visit a dentist. Regular checkups will allow the dentist to detect the problems that could be causing bad odor like gum disease and dry mouth. The doctor will help stop those problems before they get more serious.

When preparing for an appointment with a dentist, use these tips:

• Have the appointments for tests scheduled in the morning to reduce the chances of food you eat hindering the examination.
• Don’t wear scented lipstick, scented lotions, perfumes, or lip gloss when going for your appointment. They can make it difficult to detect odors coming from your mouth
• If you have taken antibiotics in the previous month, let the dentist know, because you may need to have the appointment rescheduled.

The dentist will do an evaluation of past medical history. The dentist will also ask you questions that will help in determining the correct diagnosis and treatment plan for you. The dentist may ask:

• Is the bad breath continuous or occasional?
• When did it first occur?
• How often do you clean your dentures or brush your teeth?
• How many times do you floss your teeth in a week?
• What foods do you eat most often?
• Are there health conditions you suffer from?
• Do you snore?
• Have other people told you that your breath smells bad?

Dr. Suffoletta serves the Las Vegas and Summerlin area with top of the line dental care that provides state of the art technology. He offers various dental services that are quick and painless. If you are suffering from bad breath or any other dental ailments contact Dr. Suffoletta and his team at 702-671-0001 or contact us.