Bad breath may be a negative trait that you use to describe your old math teacher or your ex-boyfriend. But the truth is, bad breath is not just an embarrassing social trait. It can also be an indication of a serious oral health issue. Chronic bad breath, medically termed halitosis, might be something you cover up when you are out on a date, but it is not something you need to keep hidden when you talk to you dentist. In fact, sharing your struggles of foul breath odor can allow your dentist to tackle the problem for good.
Bad breath typically develops due to high levels of bacteria in the mouth. When bacteria feed on plaque, they produce hydrogen sulfide. This is foul smelling byproduct that gives breath its repulsive stench. While your dentist may need to provide treatment for gum disease, a dental infection or decay, most cases of chronic bad breath can be solved on your own.
In fact, preventing bad breath can be easy as these 3 steps:
Brush & Floss. These two critical dental hygiene tasks aren’t just to remove stains and prevent cavities. Brushing and flossing is also important to rid your mouth of lingering bacteria, food debris and plaque after you eat and drink. Remember that these are the components that lead to bad breath.
Clean Your Tongue. Do you take the time to brush your tongue every day? Due to its qualities of having deep grooves and moist bumps, the tongue is a perfect environment for bacteria to breed. Make it a priority to brush all surfaces of your tongue well each time you pick up your toothbrush. You may even consider a tongue scraper if you suffer from a sensitive gag reflex.
Drink Water. A hydrated mouth is a healthy mouth. Drinking more water can help encourage saliva production, which is your body’s natural remedy for removing excess oral bacteria and keeping the pH in your mouth neutral. Many people who experience dry mouth also suffer from bad breath. If your dry mouth is out of your control (due to a certain medication side effect or medical condition), ask your dentist about special mouth rinses or other things you can do to boost your saliva production.
Do you want to say goodbye to your embarrassing bad breath? Are you tired of buying peppermints, breath spray or gum to cover up your foul breath odor? Contact the professionals of Gilreath Dental Associates. First and foremost, we will determine if your bad breath is a warning sign of something more serious going on within your oral health.
Posted on behalf of Dr. Paul Gilreath IV,