If you don’t have it, you are lucky. Yes, it’s Bad breath
(also known as halitosis or malodor). It can be embarrassing and tough on those
around you. Some people don't realize their breath could stop a charging bull.
It can even ruin relationships.
Fortunately, this problem is often easy to fix. It takes:
Good oral hygiene, regular visits to your dentist, and ruling out any
underlying conditions or other factors (such as some medications, diets, and
foods) that could cause bad breath.
Do You Have Bad Breath?
Bad breath is often caused by a buildup of bacteria in your
mouth that causes inflammation and gives off bad odors or gases that smell like
sulfur.
What Causes it?
Studies show that about 80% of bad breath comes from your mouth.
Cavities or gum disease can lead to bad breath, as can tonsils that have
trapped food particles; cracked fillings, and less-than-clean dentures. There
are also several internal medical conditions also can cause bad breath. They
include diabetes, liver disease, respiratory tract infections, and chronic
bronchitis. You'll want to see your doctor to rule out things like acid reflux,
postnasal drip, and other causes of chronic dry mouth (xerostomia).
The main thing to do is keep it clean. Good oral hygiene is
key to fighting bad breath. Ideally, you should brush and floss after every
meal to help reduce the odor-causing bacteria in your mouth. While a regular
toothbrush works well, using an electric toothbrush is better. Good mouthwashes
or mouth rinses can help prevent cavities and reduce bacteria-causing plaque
and fight bad breath. Stick to an antiseptic or antibacterial rinse that kills
bacteria, rather than a cosmetic rinse that just focuses on freshening the
breath.
What You Eat Also makes a difference.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet and regular meals. Certain
diets -- such as extreme fasting and very low-carb diets -- can give you
bad-smelling breath. Consider snacking on raw carrots, celery, or apple slices.
Avoid foods that worsen bad breath like garlic, onions, and
some other spicy foods. Chronic garlic users cannot only have chronic bad
breath, they also often have body odor.
More Ways to Fix Bad Breath
First Stay hydrated. If you can't brush your teeth after a
meal, drinking a lot of water can help speed up the process of cleaning harmful
bacteria and debris from between your teeth. Don't drink too much coffee. It
may be tasty, but coffee is a tough smell to get off the back of your tongue. Try
green tea instead.
Don't smoke or use other tobacco products. Cigarettes,
pipes, and snuff can foul your breath.
Cut back on alcohol. Alcohol can lead to a dry mouth. Too
much beer, wine, and hard liquor can make your breath reek for up to eight to
10 hours after you finish drinking.
Chew sugarless gum especially after a meal. This can help
with saliva flow. Try gum that's 100% xylitol-sweetened can help reduce
cavities.
Call our office today to make an appointment so you can find out what the best options are for your specific case.
(305) 948-9102 Dentist in Miami, North Miami, and Aventura
C A R R O L L D E N T I S T R Y
15801 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 200
North Miami Beach, Florida 33160
C A R R O L L D E N T I S T R Y
15801 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 200
North Miami Beach, Florida 33160
