What you eat affects your breath. If you don’t brush and floss daily, particles of food can remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath.

Breath mints and chewing gum are great temporary solutions to bad breath, but they can’t help you if your bad breath problem stems from something beyond the garlic and onions you had for lunch. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth can also be one of the warning signs of gum disease; which is caused by plaque.

Your first line of defence against bad breath should be to make sure you brush two times a day for two minutes and floss once a day. You should also brush your tongue since most of the bacteria in the mouth that are responsible for bad breath hang out on the back of the tongue. If you still find your breath is offensive, talk to your dentist or physician. Your dentist can work with you to develop a treatment plan that minimizes odor. This might include scraping the plaque off your tongue or using a special antibacterial mouth-rinse.

If you already practice good oral hygiene and still don’t know what’s causing your bad breath, make an appointment to see your dentist. Regular checkups allow your dentist to detect any problems such as gum disease or dry mouth. Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder. Some diseases have symptoms related to bad breath. Sinus or lung infections, bronchitis, diabetes, and some liver or kidney diseases may be associated with bad breath. If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your primary care physician.

Maintaining good oral hygiene, eliminating gum disease and scheduling regular professional cleanings are essential to reducing bad breath. Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily with floss. Brush your tongue, too. If you wear dentures, be sure to remove them at night and clean them thoroughly before replacing them the next morning.

For more information be sure to schedule an appointment with one of our dental professionals.

Dr. Elizabeth Dimovski and Associates

905-458-6620

Bad Breath