How Do I Get Rid of Bad Breath?
Everyone experiences bad breath at some point in their lives. It can become a concern to have a strong odor on your breath that brushing, and mouthwash do not seem to help.
Your dentist can smell both the breath from your mouth as well as the breath from your nose and rate the odor on a scale. The back of the tongue is often the source of the smell, so your dentist might also scrape it and rate its odor.
There are also sophisticated detectors that can identify the chemicals responsible for your bad breath, but these are not very popular.
Treatment for your Bad Breath
To reduce your bad breath, focus on good oral hygiene to avoid cavities and to lower the risk of gum disease. Additional treatment for bad breath will vary, depending on the cause. If your bad breath is caused by an underlying health condition, your dentist might refer you to your primary care provider.
For causes related to your oral health, your dentist will work with you to help you control that condition. Dental measures might include:
* Mouth rinses and toothpastes- If your bad breath is from a buildup of plaque on your teeth, your dentist might recommend a mouth rinse that kills bacteria. They may also recommend a toothpaste that contains an antibacterial agent to kill the excessive bacteria causing plaque buildup.
* Treatment of dental disease- If you have gum disease, you might be referred to a periodontist. Gum disease can cause your gums to pull away from the teeth, developing pockets that fill with odor-causing bacteria. A professional teeth cleaning will remove these bacteria. You might also need faulty tooth restorations replaced.
At Home Treatments
To reduce or prevent bad breath:
* Brush your teeth- Brush using a fluoride-containing toothpaste twice a day, especially after meals. Toothpaste with antibacterial properties will reduce bad breath odors.
* Floss at least once a day- Proper flossing removes both food particles and plaque from between your teeth, also helping to control bad breath.
* Brush your tongue- Your tongue harbors bacteria, so brushing it may reduce odors. You might have a coated tongue from a significant overgrowth of bacteria, from smoking or dry mouth, and may benefit from using a tongue scraper.
* Clean dentures or dental appliances- If you wear a dental bridge or a denture, clean it thoroughly at least once a day. If you have a retainer or mouth guard, clean it each time before you put it in your mouth.
* Avoid dry mouth- Keep your mouth moist, avoid tobacco and drink plenty of water, not coffee, soft drinks, or alcohol, which can lead to a drier mouth. Chew sugarless gum to stimulate saliva. For chronic dry mouth, your dentist may prescribe a medication that stimulates the flow of saliva.
* Adjust your diet- Avoid foods like onions and garlic that can cause bad breath. Sugary foods are also linked to bad breath.
* Regularly get a new toothbrush- Change your toothbrush when it becomes frayed, about every three months, and choose a soft-bristled toothbrush.
* Schedule regular dental checkups- See your dentist on a regular basis, usually twice a year, to have your teeth or dentures examined and cleaned.