BAD BREATH? BANISH IT! Dentist Beavercreek

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Dentist Beavercreek

You’ve tried mints, gum, and mouthwash but nothing works. Bad breath is affecting your social life, causing you to shy away from your loved ones and preventing you from speaking up at work. You’ve already spent a fortune to cover it up, but it never stays away for very long. What really causes bad breath and how do you get rid of it?

Is it Temporary or Chronic?

Temporary bad breath can occur after eating certain foods, such as onions and cabbage, which contain high levels of sulfur compounds. When these foods are digested, the sulfur compounds are absorbed by the bloodstream, carried to the lungs and released in the form of bad breath when you exhale or speak. Changing your diet to avoid foods like these can help prevent this type of bad breath.

Chronic halitosis, or long-term bad breath, is another story.

Bacteria flourish on your tongue, especially towards the back third. These bacteria break down the leftover food in your mouth, resulting in substances called volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). These VCSs re the most common cause of bad breath. To treat this kind of bad breath you need to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth.

The bacteria responsible for bad breath thrive when your mouth is dry. Conventional mouthwash, which contains alcohol, dries out your mouth and may actually contribute to bad breath. Instead of an alcohol-based mouthwash, look for alcohol-free varieties or products that contain “chlorine dioxide,” which attack bad breath at the molecular level instead of just covering it up.

Typical Tongue Scraper

Obviously, maintaining good oral hygiene habits can help in the fight against bad breath. This includes regular flossing (daily) and brushing of the teeth and tongue. The tongue is a hotbed of bacterial growth, harboring millions of organisms in a bunch of tiny nooks and crannies. The most efficient way of cleaning the tongue is with a tongue scraper, a special tool made of plastic or metal that is scraped along the surface to remove the film of bacteria. The scraper should be placed as far back on the tongue as you can to remove the most bacteria possible.

Out with the Bad, In with the Good

Help the world smell a lot sweeter by applying these tips to prevent and treat bad breath:

Drink plenty of water. A moist mouth is inhospitable to the bacteria responsible for bad breath. Water also dilutes the concentration of VSCs, making them weaker and less pungent.
Brush and floss regularly. Brush and floss as soon as possible after meals to minimize the amount of bacteria in your mouth. Buy a tongue scraper (about $3) to reduce the amount of bacteria even more.
Treat any existing oral diseases. See your dentist regularly, especially if you suspect any type of oral disease, periodontal problem, or infection.
Eat crunchy fruits and vegetables. Chewing apples, celery, and cucumber helps keep your mouth naturally clean by removing food particles and plaque while you eat.
Cut out coffee. Coffee leaves a film on your tongue that blocks oxygen, creating the perfect environment for bacteria growth. Switch to tea if you need a caffeine fix.
Chew sugarless gum. Chewing gum will help keep your mouth moist and increase saliva flow. Because the bacteria in your mouth easily break down most sugars into VCS.s choose sugarless gum and say no to mints that contain sugar.
Eat yogurt. Some research shows that eating one serving of yogurt daily can reduce the amount of odor-causing particles, including bacteria, in the mouth.
Avoid tobacco products. This is a no-brainer. Any kind of tobacco (smoked or chewed) can cause bad breath and a host of oral health problems and diseases.
Avoid trigger foods. Onions and garlic are two well-known causes of bad breath.
Check your medicine cabinet. Bad breath is often a side effect of both prescription and over-the-counter medications. Take them as directed, and unless otherwise instructed, drink plenty of water along with your medication.

Other reasons for yucky breath: Certain oral conditions such as mouth cancer, candidiasis (thrush or fungal overgrowth), and dry mouth. Postnasal drip, sinus infections and gastrointestinal diseases can also cause bad breath. If you cannot treat bad breath on your own, visit your health care provider to find out if you are suffering from and underlying health condition.

Although bad breath happens to the best of us, it’s an embarrassing topic for many. No one enjoys being told their breath is less than stellar, and it’s equally (if not more) difficult to tell someone else that they need a mint. Once the awkwardness wears off, you can feel happy that someone you know cared enough to tell you honestly so that you can prevent and treat it.

We can help with breath issues and many other dental-related conditions! Click here to learn more!

Article Source: http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/wellness_articles.asp?id=300

Dentist Beavercreek