The Causes of Bad Breath and Treatment Options
Dr. Louis J. Buono is one of the leading dentists based on Long Island, offering advanced general dentistry services to improve health and wellness. A lot of good dental care is based on patient education and prevention.
With this in mind, we wanted to consider the causes of bad breath (halitosis) and then go over some of the most effective treatments for this problem.
Common Causes of Bad Breath
Some of the most common causes of bad breath include the following:
- Poor dental hygiene
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- The use of tobacco products
- Certain foods (e.g., onions, garlic)
- Certain beverages (e.g., liquor, coffee)
- Dry mouth
- Issues with the throat and sinuses
- Systemic conditions affecting the lungs and digestive tract
Combinations of the above are also possible, of course.
Good Oral Hygiene and Professional Dental Treatment
A good way to keep your breath as fresh and clean as possible is to brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss your teeth every night, and visit your dentist twice a year for regular checkups. For optimal dental wellness, be sure to brush your teeth and floss your teeth after every meal.
These simple steps can make a major difference when it comes to your breath as well as your dental health.
Addressing Oral Bacteria and Gum Disease
When there's too much oral bacteria present, it can lead to gum disease or simply make your bad breath worse. For these issues, it's not uncommon to use a special mouthwash that helps eliminate or control excessive amounts of oral bacteria.
Options for Treating Dry Mouth
Dry mouth often leads to much worse bad breath as well as other kinds of dental problems, so anything that can be done to prevent dry mouth is a good thing. Patients should stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking water. For persistent or chronic dry mouth, patients may be given artificial saliva products.
Consider a Tongue Scraper
A lot of oral bacteria likes to remain on the tongue, which means that cleaning your tongue can actually do wonders for your breath. It can sometimes be uncomfortable to clean your tongue with a toothbrush, but a tongue scraper makes cleaning much easier.
Using Sugar-Free Mints and Chewing Gum
To help control and mask bad breath, the use of sugar-free mints and chewing gums is a good option to consider. Sugar-free candies mean that the oral bacteria won't have carbs to feed on, which would result in more bad breath.
Knowing What to Eat and Drink to Avoid Bad Breath
Since certain foods and beverages will lead to bad breath, it's important that people keep them in mind and avoid them when necessary. Simply by not eating garlic or onions or spicy foods, or avoiding alcoholic beverages, you can actually keep your breath quite fresh. This is key for dinners and social situations.
Quit Using Tobacco Products
Smoking and using chewing tobacco will cause bad breath and also increases your risk for developing cancer and heart disease. These are all compelling reasons to quit smoking. If you need help, consult with your doctor or dentist who can provide you with tips and the resources you need.
Learn More About Treating and Preventing Bad Breath
For more information about having great breath and good dental health overall, it's important that you contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry practice today. Dr. Louis J. Buono looks forward to your visit and helping you achieve the best possible dental health and wellness.