1. Oral Hygiene Education – Because plaque accumulation is a major contributor to bad breath, our dentists and dental hygienists will assess your current effectiveness in removing plaque. There may be areas you are missing, and we can recommend different strategies to help you successfully clean your teeth at home between your professional teeth cleanings.
Improperly cleaned dentures can also harbor odor-causing bacteria and food particles. If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night and clean them thoroughly before replacing them.
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Dietary Changes to Combat Halitosis: Foods to Avoid and Foods to Eat
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Antiseptic mouthwashes contain ingredients such as chlorhexidine or cetylpyridinium chloride, which help reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth. These mouthwashes can be effective in freshening breath and preventing gum disease. Fluoride mouthwashes help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. Cosmetic mouthwashes contain ingredients such as mint or cinnamon to temporarily mask bad breath.
But it could also be more serious than that. Bad breath can be an indicator that something is seriously wrong with your health. But how can you tell the difference? Here’s a guide to some of the causes of bad breath, and how serious they might be.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial in preventing halitosis. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, and using a tongue scraper to remove bacteria from the surface of the tongue.
Everyone gets bad breath occasionally — especially after eating garlic, onions, or other strong foods. But bad breath that doesn't go away (chronic halitosis) could mean you have an oral health issue or a condition that's affecting another part of your body.
Halitosis is common in people who have tonsil stones. That’s because the bacteria that produce volatile sulfur compounds thrive in the crevices of your throat, where food, mucus, and other bacteria have already built up.
For stones that do not go away on their own, there are several types of treatments: Medications: Antibiotics to help reduce bacteria Antihistamines to reduce mucus from sinus problems or allergies Laser treatment (laser tonsil cryptolysis): a noninvasive treatment that helps minimize or remove the tonsil pockets (crypts) where the tonsil stones are lodged Coblation cryptolysis: radio waves are used to change a salt solution into charged ions that can cut through the tissue to reduce crypts on the tonsils and eliminate tonsil stones Tonsillectomy: removal of the tonsils, usually the last resort but the only way to eliminate tonsil stones and prevent new ones from forming
Other medical conditions such as tonsil stones and postnasal drip can also contribute to bad breath from the throat. Tonsil stones are small, hard deposits that form in the crevices of the tonsils. These stones can harbor bacteria and emit a foul odor. Postnasal drip occurs when excess mucus drips down the back of the throat, providing a breeding ground for bacteria.
Physiological halitosis is caused by bacteria that accumulate on the upper back of the tongue, even when the person has good oral hygiene. Ingesting certain types of food, smoking, or drinking alcohol can worsen the condition and produce unpleasant odors in the mouth.
There are two types of halitosis or bad breath, which can vary depending on the cause. In the following sections, we will define each type and highlight their differences.
Brush your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth. Most bad breath bacteria live on the tongue. So brushing or scraping the tongue can make a big difference in your breath.
Can cavities cause bad breath or halitosis? Tooth decay occurs when bacteria break down the tooth enamel and dentin, resulting in cavities. The bacteria responsible for cavities can cause bad breath and are, therefore, can be one of the causes of halitosis.
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There are several natural remedies that can help freshen breath and improve oral health. Chewing on herbs like parsley and mint can help mask bad breath temporarily. These herbs contain natural compounds that can help neutralize odors in the mouth.