Everyone has dealt with bad breath at various times in their lives. It can become a dental concern if you continue to have a strong odor on your breath after brushing, and even mouthwash will not help.
Your dental team will smell your breath as well as the breath from your nose and then rate the odor on a predetermined scale. The back of your tongue is often the source of the smell, so your dentist may scrape it and then rate the odor again.
There are also sophisticated odor detectors that will identify the chemicals causing your bad breath, yet they are not applied very often.
Treatment for your Bad Breath
To reduce bad breath, focus first on your oral hygiene habits to avoid cavities and to lower the risk of gum disease. Additional treatment can vary, depending on the primary source. If your bad breath is the result of an underlying health condition, your dentist might refer you to your primary care provider.
If the source is related to your oral health, your dental team can collaborate with you to help you control that issue. Dental measures might include:
- Mouth Rinses and Toothpastes- If your bad breath is created by an accumulation of plaque on your teeth, your dental team will recommend a mouth rinse that destroys bacteria. They could also recommend a toothpaste containing an antibacterial agent to remove the excessive bacteria creating the plaque buildup.
- Treatment of a Dental Disease- If you are experiencing gum disease, you could be referred to a periodontist. Gum disease causes your gums to pull away from your teeth, forming pockets that fill with odor-causing bacteria. Professional teeth cleaning removes these bacteria. You might need any failing tooth restorations replaced.
At Home Treatments
To reduce or prevent bad breath:
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- Brush your Teeth- Brush with a toothpaste containing fluoride twice a day, especially after meals. Toothpaste with antibacterial elements will reduce bad breath.
- Floss at Least Once a Day- Proper flossing will remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth, which helps control your bad breath.
- Brush your Tongue- Your tongue harbors bacteria as well, so brushing it may reduce odor. You might have a coated tongue from excessive bacteria, from smoking, or dry mouth, and would benefit from using a tongue scraper.
- Clean Dentures or Dental Appliances- If you have a restoration like a dental bridge or a denture, clean it every day. If you use a retainer or mouth guard, clean it each time you put it in your mouth.
- Avoid Dry Mouth- Keep your mouth moist, avoid tobacco, drink a lot of water, and not coffee, soft drinks, or alcohol, which can lead to a dry mouth. Chewing sugarless gum will stimulate more saliva. For a chronic dry mouth, your dentist may prescribe medication to stimulate saliva flow.
- Adjust your Diet- Avoid foods like onions or garlic that cause bad breath. Sugary foods also cause bad breath.
- Regularly get a New Toothbrush- Replace your toothbrush often, about every three months, and use a soft-bristle toothbrush.
- Schedule Regular Dental Checkups- See your dentist on a regular basis, twice a year, to have both your teeth and gums examined and professionally cleaned.