Do you suffer from bad breath? Are you self-conscious that others will notice? Don’t let your struggles have a negative impact on your social life. There are many causes of bad breath, as well as many solutions.
Common causes of bad breath include:
Dry Mouth – Does your mouth feel dry and sticky? You may not be producing enough saliva. Saliva works full-time to clean out your mouth. If you don’t have enough saliva, your mouth may not be getting as cleaned as needed, which can cause bad breath.
Gum Disease – If you have bad breath that won’t go away or a persistent bad taste in your mouth, you may have gum disease.
Food – There are many foods that can cause bad breath, including:
– Onions
– Garlic
– Coffee
– Cheese
– Orange juice
– Alcohol
These foods affect the air you exhale.
There are a variety of methods to reach a mouth that feels fresh and clean, including:
Brush and floss more often.
The buildup on your teeth, which is called plaque, collects the bacteria that causes bad breath. Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. If you want fresher breath, do both more often.
Brush or scrape your tongue.
The coating that forms on the tongue can cause bad breath. Brush your tongue with your toothbrush to get rid of the bacteria. Try a scraper if your toothbrush is too big to reach the back of your tongue.
See your dentist or doctor.
Drs. Nichols and Peck can recommend treatment to correct gum disease and other issues. You may also need to visit your doctor to see if there are any underlying medical reasons for your bad breath.
We welcome you to contact Prairie Dental Center today to learn more about treatment for bad breath in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and to schedule a visit.