Is there anything more embarrassing than being told your breath stinks? Suddenly you’re left covering your mouth while you frantically search for a breath mint.
Even worse, perhaps, is when your breath smells so bad that everyone around you is too afraid to tell you. Then you’re left going about your day, not realizing the stench you’re leaving behind.
Bad breath is embarrassing for you and awkward for those close to you. The good news is that bad breath is usually a pretty easy problem to solve.
At Biggers Family Dentistry, we can get to the root of the problem and determine the cause of your bad breath. Once we understand the cause, we can find you the right solution. In the meantime, learn more about bad breath and what the odor could be trying to tell you.
What Causes Bad Breath?
To check if your breath smells bad, you can ask a trusted friend to take a whiff or you can smell your dental floss after you use it. It can be hard to determine how many people suffer from bad breath because the information has to be self-reported and isn’t always accurate.
But according to several studies, the majority of bad breath comes from an oral source such as cavities, gum disease, or even just improperly cleaned teeth.
There are also several medical conditions that can affect your breath, including diabetes, liver disease, chronic bronchitis, and respiratory tract infections.
When you come to our office, we’ll want to rule out medical issues like post-nasal drip, acid reflux, and other conditions that could cause dry mouth.
Bad breath is usually caused by a buildup of bacteria that cause inflammation in your mouth.
Bad Breath Solutions & Prevention
Watch What You Eat
What you eat affects your breath because as the food is digested, it is absorbed into your bloodstream and let out when you breathe.
To avoid bad breath, eat a healthy diet with balanced, regular meals. It may be beneficial to snack on raw fruits and vegetables because the high water content can help clean your mouth.
You’ll also want to avoid foods that are known to cause bad breath such as onion, garlic, and spicy foods.
Bad Breath Prevention
The most important step to take when fighting bad breath is practicing proper dental hygiene. That includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing daily. Depending on what you eat, you may find it beneficial to brush your teeth after you eat to eliminate odors.
Mouthwash or mouth rinse may also help reduce the buildup of plaque to prevent bad breath. Just make sure it’s an antiseptic or antibacterial rinse that kills bacteria
You should also maintain regular checkups with your dentist for teeth cleanings. We like to see our patients at least twice a year, every six months.
Here are even more ways to avoid bad breath:
- Drink water
Drinking a good amount of water can help clean out bad bacteria and food debris.
- Switch to tea
You may love your coffee, but its odor can linger. Tea is a much better, odor-free option that won’t stain your teeth.
- Don’t smoke or use tobacco
Smoking and using tobacco leaves you with horrible breath that can linger for a while.
- Limit alcohol consumption
Alcohol causes a dry mouth, which contributes to bad breath. Too much alcohol can make your breath smell for up to 10 hours after you finish drinking.
- Chew sugarless gum
Chewing sugarless gum after a meal can encourage the flow of saliva while also freshening your breath.
Kiss Your Bad Breath Goodbye!
Bad breath is bound to happen now and then, but it shouldn’t be a chronic problem. At Biggers Family Dentistry, we can help determine the cause of your bad breath and share tips to help you keep things fresh.
Call our Midlothian, VA office today at (804) 621-2199 to schedule your consultation. You can also contact us online by filling out this form .