Halitosis, or bad breath, isn’t just embarrassing. Sometimes it can be a sign of something more troublesome for your oral health. In this blog post, we’ll explore how you can get rid of bad breath to boost your confidence and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.
What Causes Bad Breath?
There are a number of factors which can cause bad breath. Depending on the cause, bad breath might be accompanied by bacteria growth on the tongue which gives it a yellow appearance. Other symptoms include swollen, bleeding, or red gums, and increased tooth sensitivity.
- Poor oral hygiene
- Dry mouth
- Poor diet
- Certain medications
- Tobacco products
- Infections
When you don’t brush and floss your teeth consistently, plaque and bacteria begin to build up on your teeth, tongue and under the gumline, causing bad breath.
Usually caused by gum disease, dry mouth is a condition where you don’t produce enough saliva to keep your teeth and gums moist and bacteria-free.
If you eat a lot of sugary, starchy, or acidic foods, you’re promoting bacteria growth in your mouth. On the other hand, some healthy, odorous foods like garlic and onion can also temporarily overpower your breath!
There are certain medications that cause dry mouth, which in turn can affect your breath.
Smoking is damaging for your health and can give your breath a bad odor. It also promotes bacterial growth, which can accelerate the development of gum disease.
If you have an infection in your mouth or throat, you can experience bad breath. This could be a tooth infection or something else, like tonsil stones.
Bad Breath Treatment
There are quick fixes for bad breath. Better daily hygiene habits and tongue scrapers generally will improve your breath. Some popular cover ups include mouthwashes, breath mints and sugar-free gums. But if you’re struggling with persistent bad breath and want to eliminate it for good, it’s first important to discover the root cause of the problem.
At Chaney Dental, we’ll work with you to understand your health history and current symptoms to deliver a proper diagnosis for your bad breath. Then we can develop a treatment plan that will help eliminate your symptoms and boost your smile’s health. One common treatment for bad breath is a thorough dental cleaning. You might also benefit from making changes to your daily habits and diet if those are impacting your oral health. No matter the cause of your bad breath, know that we’ll be there to support you every step of the way!
Comprehensive Dentistry in Prairie Village, KS
Chaney Dental proudly offers a suite of comprehensive services ranging from preventive to restorative to cosmetic to suit the needs of all of our patients no matter their circumstances and budgets. Don’t let bad breath stop you from enjoying your life! Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
