Brown & Baran Family Dentistry believes in providing everyone in and around Wilmington with the best dental care possible. This means advanced restorative dentistry for addressing serious dental problems, cosmetic dentistry to enhance smile aesthetics, and general dentistry for proper upkeep, cleaning, and maintenance.
We take even seemingly minor dental issues seriously. With that in mind, let’s look at bad breath and a few ways that it can be treated and prevented.
About Bad Breath
Also known as halitosis, bad breath is a dental problem we’ve all faced at one time or another. In some cases, the bad breath is a result of temporary issues with oral bacteria. In other cases, the bad breath may be linked to specific triggers or conditions.
Regardless, bad breath can make good first impressions more difficult and be the source of major social anxiety. It’s for these reasons and more compelling health concerns that patients should seek treatment for their bad breath if it is particularly strong, persistent, or chronic.
Common Causes of Bad Breath
Some common causes of bad breath include the following:
- Excessive oral bacteria
- Poor dental hygiene
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Tobacco products
- Dry mouth
- Certain foods and beverages
- Systemic conditions affecting the lungs
- Systemic conditions affecting the throat
- Systemic conditions affecting the digestive tract
Combinations of the above are not uncommon.
Antiseptic Rinses
One of the most common treatments for mild to serious bad breath linked to oral bacteria is the use of antiseptic rinses. These treatments help keep the oral bacteria count under control, and they can have a dramatic impact on improving the overall smell of a person’s breath.
Oral Antibiotics for Major Bad Breath
When a rinse or other kinds of medication in the mouth may not be ideal, dentists may consider using oral antibiotics. In general, oral antibiotic medication will be used sparingly to help get the bad breath under control in concert with other treatments.
Addressing the Root Cause of Your Bad Breath
The best way to address your bad breath is really to identify the root cause and treat that. For instance, if gum disease or tooth decay is a primary contributing factor to your bad breath, undergoing restorative or general dentistry treatment for these conditions is typically your best course of action.
Similarly, if a health problem that affects your lungs is the reason you have bad breath, working with your general practitioner or a medical specialist will allow you to achieve wellness and to have the bad breath eliminated as well.
Proper Oral Hygiene Is Key
The basics can work wonders for managing bad breath. Be sure to brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a night. For the best results, be sure to brush and floss after every meal.
Know What Foods and Beverages Can Trigger Bad Breath
Some foods or beverages have distinctly pungent odors that may bad breath more likely or exacerbate the bad odors in a person’s mouth. Some items to keep in mind include:
- Garlic
- Onions
- Fish
- Spicy foods
- Coffee
- Alcoholic beverages
Be sure to eat these sparingly, or to brush and floss thoroughly after having any of the above.
Avoid Using Tobacco Products
Cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco can all lead to awful breath, and they have a negative impact on your overall wellness too. This is just another compelling reason to quit, or simply to not start using tobacco products in the first place.
Schedule a Consultation at Brown & Baran Family Dentistry
For more information about treating bad breath and improving your overall dental wellness, we encourage you to contact our advanced dental care center today. The team at Brown & Baran Family Dentistry look forward to your visit and helping you smile with absolute confidence.
