How To Get Rid Of Bad Breath

Bad breath is a common condition we help treat at Studfield Dental Group, in which our patients find their mouth giving off bad odours. More formally known as halitosis, this problem can occur due to a number of different reasons but it usually occurs due to an accumulation of bacteria that hasn’t been properly removed.

You may find products advertised on shelves that target bad breath, but if you don’t directly address the root of the problem, bad breath will be a recurring issue for you. Read this article for a more comprehensive idea on why you may be having bad breath and what you can do to get rid of it!

Foods & beverages

One of the most direct contributors to bad breath is what we consume on a daily basis. These foods and beverages are known to either generally smell bad or encourage growth of bacteria. Some more obvious culprits are vegetables like garlic and onions, these vegetables are capable of leaving you with bad breath that lasts for hours after consumption! Certain beverages like tea, coffee or wine also tend to dry your mouth out and create the prime environment for bacteria to breed. It may be best to steer away from these foods and beverages if you suffer from a bad case of halitosis.

Chewing tobacco

Did you know that tobacco is linked to bad breath? Tobacco products are widely known to increase your risk of acquiring certain dental conditions and oral diseases such as oral cancer, cavities or gum disease etc. But, they also contain certain chemical compounds that react with saliva to give off odours. If you’re a smoker, you would have also experienced dry mouth. This is a common condition because smoking drastically reduces saliva production, and as we touched on previously, dry mouth allows bacteria to thrive, which in turn gives way to halitosis.

Infections & diseases

In certain instances, your bad breath may not even be due to an oral condition or your diet. There are certain genetic predispositions and non-hereditary diseases/infections that may give way to this predicament. For example, bronchitis and other respiratory infections are known to cause bad breath. Diabetes, cancers and other metabolic disorders also secrete chemical compounds that are capable of worsening your breath.

Xerostomia

Xerostomia is the formal term used for dry mouth condition. This is when the mouth fails to produce enough saliva to keep itself lubricated. An environment such as this significantly affects your ability to fight off bacteria and can be brought upon by certain lifestyle choices, medications, or simply by not keeping yourself hydrated enough.

Saliva is known to contain important properties that kill or keep odour-causing bacteria at bay. It also provides much needed pH balance and re-mineralization to keep your teeth strengthened. Maintain stable levels of saliva production by hydrating enough and if you still struggle to produce saliva, we can also recommend over-the-counter medications that act as salivary stimulants.

Poor dental hygiene

Perhaps one of the most common causes of bad breath is a poor oral health routine. Poor dental hygiene means that there’s a very likely chance that food particles have accumulated in your mouth. This eventually hardens and causes tooth decay. These bacteria can also be hiding on your tongue. Luckily, all you need to fix this is a consistent oral hygiene routine, which would look like brushing twice a day, flossing daily and using a good anti-bacterial mouthwash. You’ll also need to come in for a professional dental cleaning at least every 6 months.

Make sure you brush your tongue as well to clean your mouth as thoroughly as possible! Change your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months as its effectiveness starts wearing off over certain periods of time. If you notice the bristles bending any sooner than this, then you’ll have to replace your toothbrush even earlier. If you suffer from bad breath but wear dental prosthetics like dentures, keep in mind they’ll need to be cleaned properly each day using denture cleaning solution. Even though they are prosthetic teeth, they can harbor bacteria just like your natural teeth.

Gum disease

Gum disease is when the soft tissues around your teeth get infected. If neglected, this condition will worsen, deteriorating your jawbone, eventually leading to tooth loss. This condition is usually caused by poor oral hygiene and contributes to bad breath since bacteria doesn’t just accumulate around your teeth, but deep beneath your gumline as well. The only way to treat this is by coming in for a professional cleaning and dental treatment to eliminate the bacteria.

If you feel like your breath smells and you’re wondering why or what you can do to get rid of it, book an appointment with our dental professionals at SDG for an evaluation and cleaning. We’ll help you get down to the bottom of it with the right solutions, changes and additions to your lifestyle.