Brushing helps remove plaque and bacteria from the teeth and gums, while flossing helps remove food particles and bacteria from between the teeth. Using a tongue scraper can help remove the bacteria that can accumulate on the surface of the tongue and contribute to bad breath.
The sense of smell has strong associations with our memory. This applies to both pleasant and unpleasant smells. For example, at the mention of bad breath, you can probably easily call to mind a time when you noticed that a friend or colleague had particularly bad breath. We are all rightly sensitive about the state of our own breath. We hope that after reading this article,
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Diet and Tonsil Stones: Foods to Avoid and Foods to Eat
If you suffer from chronic bad breath, you don’t have to live your life worrying about making a bad impression. At Scott Edwards DDS, we’re committed to helping you use your smile to get the most out of life. We can help determine the cause of bad breath, and what kind of treatment you might need. If bad breath is a sign of a more serious health problem, we’ll help you determine the best next steps and either begin a treatment plan or recommend a specialist who can provide treatment.
Over-the-Counter Products for Managing Throat-Related Bad Breath
Certain medications can also cause bad breath as a side effect. These medications may affect saliva production or alter the balance of bacteria in the mouth, leading to halitosis. Examples of medications that commonly cause bad breath include certain antidepressants, antihistamines, and diuretics.
What we eat can also have a significant impact on our breath. Certain foods and drinks can cause bad breath due to their strong odors or because they are broken down by bacteria in the mouth. Foods such as garlic, onions, and spicy foods are notorious for causing halitosis. Additionally, beverages like coffee and alcohol can also contribute to bad breath.
Everybody was friendly and the work appears good(I am not done yet). They were busy and I did have a short wait. It... would be nice if the made the crown right in the office.read more
The Importance of Regular Dental Checkups for Fresher Breath
Medications can lead to bad breath for two reasons. In some cases, the way your body breaks down the medicine leads to the production of odorous chemicals. In other cases, medications contribute to dry mouth, which can make bad breath more likely.
Halitosis, which is the scientific name for bad breath, is often caused by volatile sulfur compounds. Volatile sulfur compounds are foul-smelling gases released by anaerobic bacteria.
If you use tobacco, it’s a good idea to quit, and not just for your breath, either. Tobacco use can lead to tooth loss as well as dental implant failure.
Stress and anxiety can have a negative impact on oral health and breath. When we are stressed or anxious, our bodies produce more cortisol, a stress hormone that can reduce saliva production. This can result in dry mouth and contribute to bad breath.
Baking soda is another natural remedy that can help fight bad breath. It has antibacterial properties that can kill the bacteria responsible for causing bad breath. You can mix a teaspoon of baking soda with water to create a mouth rinse or sprinkle a small amount on your toothbrush before brushing.
Even if yours came out painlessly, tonsil stones might leave traces of bacteria in your mouth or open, sore areas on your tonsils that need to be kept clean if you don’t want to develop more tonsil stones down the road.
The medical condition dry mouth (also called xerostomia) also can cause bad breath. Saliva is necessary to moisten the mouth, neutralize acids produced by plaque, and wash away dead cells that build up on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be a side effect of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth. In fact, morning breath is worse for people who sleep with their mouths open.
As dentists, we are your best resource for addressing the problem of bad breath. We are in the perfect position to recognize, discuss, and treat this particular problem. Bad breath is complex in that it has both emotional and physical repercussions. We hear the distressing emotional consequences of bad breath in our confidential conversations with patients, and we see the negative health implications inherent in severe bad breath.