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If you think there’s an issue in your mouth that’s behind your bad breath, seeing a dental professional for treatment can help you get to the bottom of the problem and improve your oral health and the scent of your breath at the same time.
Serious cases of gingivitis may need to be treated with a periodontist, who are specialists in treating gum disease and restoring bone and tissue loss because of it.
Saliva is a naturally occurring substance in our body that keeps the mouth, esophagus and digestive tract clean. Think of it as engine oil for your mouth and digestive system. Breaking your fast in the morning regenerates saliva so that the digestive system can continue to do its job. Skipping breakfast brings this entire process to a halt, introducing certain compounds in your mouth that not only lead to dryness but also bad breath.
In addition to not brushing and flossing regularly, other factors that can contribute to poor oral hygiene and bad breath include smoking, dry mouth, certain medications, and certain medical conditions like gum disease or tooth decay. It’s important to practice good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and regularly visiting a dentist for cleanings and checkups, to maintain fresh breath and a healthy mouth.
The three main ways to prevent bad breath is to brush and floss teeth twice daily, use a tongue scraper to get rid of bacteria on the tongue and visit your dentist regularly. However, bad breath, also called halitosis, affects many Canadians even with proper oral hygiene practices. However, it is possible to treat and in some cases, prevent entirely.
Certain strains of probiotics, such as Streptococcus salivarius K12 and Lactobacillus salivarius, have been shown to reduce the levels of harmful bacteria in the mouth and improve breath odor. These probiotics can be found in certain oral health products, such as lozenges or mouthwashes.
Making an appointment with a dentist like Dr. Edwards twice a year will give him the chance to learn what’s normal and what’s not when it comes to your oral health. He’ll also be able to detect any potential issues early, so that they can be treated before becoming more serious.
But if you can’t link your bad breath to specific meals, you should suspect other causes.
Talk to your dentist or hygienist about the best practices for oral hygiene and get regular professional cleanings.
This particular cause may not be very surprising, though, as not brushing your teeth even for a day can send people scurrying in the opposite direction when they see you. Experts at Kirkland Family Dentistry emphasize how this is a leading factor of halitosis.
Dr. Benjamin Greene and Dr. Jonathan Everett at Kirkland Family Dentistry have been providing dental services in Kirkland, Washington for a better part of 25 years and are staunch supporters of effectively eliminating the causes of halitosis rather than aiming to cure them.
1. Removes bacteria: The surface of the tongue can harbor bacteria that contribute to bad breath. Tongue scrapers can effectively remove this bacteria, reducing the odor in your mouth.
Sometimes certain medications are the cause of smell or taste disorders, and improvement occurs when that medicine is stopped or changed. Although certain medications can cause chemosensory problems, others particularly anti-allergy drugs seem to improve the senses of taste and smell. Some patients, notably those with serious respiratory infections or seasonal allergies, regain their smell or taste simply by waiting for their illness to run its course. In many cases, nasal obstructions, such as polyps, can be removed to restore airflow to the receptor area and can correct the loss of smell and taste. Occasionally, chemosenses return to normal just as spontaneously as they disappeared. Quick Links News Physician Portal CME Calendar Online Orientation Careers Take Charge of Your Health Publications Pay Your Bill Vendors Foundation - Ways to Give Residency ValleyWay MyChart Institutional Review Board Practices Primary Care Offices Specialists Care Offices Walk-in Care Services Urology Cancer Heart & Vascular Women & Children Neuroscience Orthopedics Bariatric Weight Loss Program Physical Rehabilitation Other Services Patients & Visitors A Message From the Joint Commission Notice of Privacy Practices Patient Rights & Responsibilities Community Education Programs Advance Directives Support Groups Locations Cape Fear Valley Medical Center Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital Rehabilitation Center Behavioral Health Care Bladen County Hospital Hoke Hospital
In addition to masking bad breath, chewing sugar-free gum helps protect your teeth and gums between meals. Teeth are more at risk of an acid attack directly after you’ve eaten. Chewing gum after a meal helps reduce acid and the harm it may cause to your teeth. It prompts the mouth to produce more saliva, which is the mouth’s natural defense against acid.
Bad breath is a concern for most of us. It creates worry in social situations, and can make it hard to feel comfortable talking to people. You never want to get close to personal or business acquaintances if you can’t be sure of your breath.