How to Deal with Bad Breath

face of beautiful woman covering her mouth

There are several small signs that show you have bad breath. Have you noticed people step away from you when you talk, for example?

This is just one sign that your breath is not as odorless as it should be. You may also be able to smell your breath from time to time, or you may have a foul taste in your mouth too. You may want to seek the opinion of a trusted friend too.

If you do have bad breath, what causes it and what can be done about it?

The Causes of Bad Breath

Bad breath is a common problem and there are many causes.

• Persistent bad breath is caused when gases are released when bacteria that coat your teeth, gums and tongue
• Food that is caught between teeth also gives off an unpleasant smell as it rots
• Strong foods, such as raw onion and garlic, can taint the smell of your breath too

Bad breath can be symptomatic of other problems too. This is why if you notice a bad taste in your mouth or on your breath, you should see your dentist.

Dry mouth, known as xerostomia, is a condition that means your mouth produces less saliva. This can cause bacteria to build up in your mouth leading to bad breath. There is medication that can help with this. If you think is the cause of your bad breath, see your dental team for help and advice.

Bad breath can be due to an infection of the throat, nose or lungs. Bad breath is also symptomatic of sinusitis, bronchitis and diabetes too, as well as liver or kidney problems.

Smoking also causes bad breath, as well as dulling your ability to smell and taste things. Your teeth will also become stained. Stopping smoking is the only real solution. But, if you still have bad breath after this, you will need to see your dentist or doctor for advice.

If your dentist notes that your mouth is healthy, he or she will recommend that you see your doctor to find the cause of the problem.

Getting Help from Your Dentist

If you do have bad breath, this is how your dental team can help;

1. Find the problem
   With the possibility of several underlying factors potentially being the cause of bad breath, your dentist can identify the cause and recommend treatment accordingly. If the problem is not in your mouth, they will refer you to your doctor.
2. Advice on an improved mouth care routine
   Bad breath is, for many people, a short-term issue linked to the food and drink they have consumed, such as the spicy Indian takeaway they have consumed the night before.

However, improving your oral hygiene routine will have an impact on decreasing instances of bad breath;

• Brush twice daily for two minutes –dentist recommend regular brushing of your teeth, a minimum of twice a day and for two minutes each time. Using a combination of manual and electric toothbrushes make for more efficient removal of food and bacteria form hard-to-reach places in the mouth.
• Floss regularly – flossing prevent food becoming trapped between teeth. If you don’t floss, you are missing out on cleaning a third of your mouth. Floss on a regular basis; the Canadian Dental Association recommend flossing once a day.
• Use a quality mouthwash – there are various types of mouthwash on the market. Some contain anti-bacterial agents that help to minimize or eradicate bacteria from the mouth thus reducing unpleasant smelling breath. However, if you are using mouthwash to disguise bad breath, you need to talk to your dental team.
• Keep dentures clean – whether you have a full set of dentures or crowns, you need to ensure that they are cleaned daily. If you don’t small bits of food become trapped between the plate and your gum. As the food rots, you will not only have bad breath but an unpleasant taste in your mouth too. Clean your dentures using a specialized denture brush and if you can, soak your dentures overnight in a denture cleaning liquid.
• Drink more water – if you don’t drink enough, your mouth becomes ‘stale’. By drinking more water, you are flushing small bits of food away from within cavities, leaving your mouth a more pleasant place.

Eliminating Bad Breath

The good news is that in most cases of bad breath, the source can be eliminated with an improved oral hygiene regime, from improved brushing to flossing. For those wearing dentures, paying closer attention to keeping dentures clean will have the desired effect.

Bad breath is not to be taken lightly. If you are concerned about bad breath, in the first instance, talk to your dentist.