Bad Breath

Ssshhhh. It’ a subject not normally talked about. Most people don’t want to mention it. We all have it at some point. Don’t think you have it? Think about “morning breath” as you turn to say good morning to your partner. Not a pleasant thought is it. Have you ever considered what causes it? Let’s look into that.

Many people have bad breath due to what they have eaten. Garlic and onions are always blamed for bad breath. We would all agree! However, bad breath caused from food is usually caused by poor dental hygiene. Not brushing and flossing regularly can leave food particles trapped between teeth. The particles remain there collecting all that awful bacteria.

Gum disease can also cause bad breath. That same awful bacteria that causes odor from trapped food, also causes plaque. Gum disease is caused by plaque buildup. Another common condition that causes bad breath is dry mouth. Some people just don’t make enough saliva to wash away bacteria. If dry mouth is something you suffer from, we can recommend an artificial saliva product. Smoking tobacco is another way to ensure your breath stinks. Smokers are more apt to have plaque build-up. Not only will tobacco cause bad breath, it stains the teeth and is dangerous to your overall health.

Not all bad breath comes from food, lack of saliva or smoking. Different medical conditions can cause bad breath. If you have bad breath that won’t go away no matter what you try, you may need to make an appointment to see your dentist. Your dentist can detect many health issues by the condition of your oral health. Once the medical issue is addressed, the breath odor will most likely be gone.

So, how do you get rid of bad breath? The obvious way would be to brush your teeth more often. Brush thoroughly, no 30 second job. Don’t forget to floss. Get those food particles out from between your teeth. Another tip is to brush your tongue. It sounds strange but there is a lot of bacteria on your tongue. If you are someone who has dentures, you must remove them daily and thoroughly clean them.

It’s okay to use mouthwash to try and keep your mouth smelling fresh. Just remember mouthwash only masks the problem for a short time. Only proper dental hygiene will ensure sweet smelling breath.   No one wants to have people back away from them during a conversation. Don’t suffer from bad breath a minute longer.