Bad breath is something that many of us are embarrassed by and it can be difficult to hide. In fact, more than 80 million people suffer from chronic bad breath. Fortunately, there are several different ways that you can fight against it. Continue reading to learn more from your dentist in Forest about the causes of bad breath and what you can do about it.
Why Do I Have Bad Breath?
Many people have this common problem, but it is brought about by many different causes. Here are some of the most common:
- Food: Eating certain food items are more known to cause bad breath. This includes onions, garlic, and spices. When they are broken down in and around your teeth, it can increase the bacteria in the mouth and cause a foul odor.
- Poor dental hygiene: If you don’t floss and brush every day, the particles of food remain in your mouth and cause bad breath.
- Dry mouth: Saliva helps to neutralize harmful acids and clean your mouth. If you don’t have enough of it, food debris won’t be washed out as easily which results in increased bacterial growth.
- Medication: Some medications have a side effect of dry mouth, which leads to bad breath.
What Can I Do to Fight Against Bad Breath?
- Brush twice a day: By removing food debris and plaque, you are preventing the excessive growth of bacteria.
- Floss daily: Brushing doesn’t remove all of the debris from your mouth. It is important to floss in order to get those hard-to-reach places.
- Clean your tongue: Your teeth aren’t the only things in your mouth that get dirty. Your tongue can also build up bacteria and residue. Either use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to keep it clean.
- Use mouthwash: This certainly won’t cure any conditions that cause bad breath, but it can mask the odor for a short period of time.
- See your dentist: If you have chronic bad breath, it’s best to bring it up to your dentist in order to rule out any dental problems you could be having.
- Chew gum: Chewing sugar-free gum helps to stimulate saliva flow which will help to wash away food debris and bacteria.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking a sufficient amount of water throughout the day helps to prevent the onset of dry mouth.
- Eat high-fiber fruits and veggies: Natural foods like carrots, apples, and celery are helpful at increasing your saliva flow in order to wash away bacteria that causes bad breath.
If you have chronic bad breath, it doesn’t hurt to talk to your dentist about possible solutions. Try some of these steps to help you freshen your breath. You will be speaking with confidence again in no time!
About the Author
Dr. Steven Hatch and his team provide many different services at Crossroads Family Dentistry in Forest, VA. He earned his dental degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and has continued to take continuing education courses through the years. Dr. Hatch has been working in the field for over a decade. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (434) 841-1704.