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Are you noticing signs of bad breath?

Often, when we have bad breath, we are told by a spouse, family member or friend because it is not always obvious to us. Other times, there is no question to you that your breath is offensive. Halitosis (bad breath) can be embarrassing. So, what are some causes for bad breath?

Causes:

Not all causes of bad breath are due to underlying disease. Your tongue is full of grooves and uneven surfaces that hold bacteria and cause an odor. Your bad breath could be due to the most recent meal that you ate, especially if it included onions or garlic. Fancy a cigarette or cigar? Smoking can be a cause for bad breath. Dehydration can also lead to bad breath. Track your water intake to see if you find any improvement. If you have eliminated these common causes for bad breath, you may consider consulting with your dentist.

Poor dental hygiene can lead to odor in your mouth. A dental professional will be able to determine if your bad breath is caused by a dental condition, like gum disease or a tooth infection. Sometimes, bad breath is related to medications you are taking or even the health of your gut. GERD and stomach acids can cause a bad odor to be omitted through your mouth.

Treatments:

Now that we have discussed some of the causes, how can we treat and eliminate this pesky problem?

Change your toothbrush. You should be switching out your toothbrush at least once every three months. Try bringing a toothbrush and dental floss to work. After your lunchtime meal, try proper brushing (for at least 2 minutes) followed by some mid-day flossing.

Brushing your tongue can eliminate bacteria that build up on your tongue. Your local drug store will have a tongue scraper that you can add to your daily home care routine.

If you are wearing a removable dental appliance, such as a partial denture or full denture, be sure to clean them daily, just as you would your teeth. Try to fill your diet with nutrient-dense foods and eliminate sugary drinks. Be sure to keep hydrated throughout the day.

If these daily adjustments do not seem to be doing the trick, call to make an appointment with your dentist to see if they can identify your problem. They may recommend a more frequent recall for your dental cleaning visits, a medicated mouth rinse, different oral hygiene tools to use at home, or dental surgery may be indicated.

More questions regarding bad breath? Give our office a call, and we can be of assistance to you.

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