Common Causes of Bad Breath – Prevention Tips from a Family Dentist

A family dentist often works with patients who have bad breath. Medically termed halitosis, bad breath can be the result of bacteria in the mouth producing sulfur gases, the smell of foods a person has eaten or existing dental or health conditions.

A family dentist discusses preventing bad breath

Here are some things a family dentist says can help to get rid of bad breath:

• Good oral hygiene: Poor oral hygiene is one of the most common reasons people develop bad breath and the condition can be reversed by improving dental hygiene. Family dentists recommend brushing two times daily and flossing each day. Doing this helps to remove food particles stuck between teeth and on teeth surfaces. It also reduces bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath. Spend at least two minutes during each brushing session and clean the tongue thoroughly. A family dentist also recommends using an antibacterial mouthwash after each brushing session to keep the mouth smelling fresh.
• Visit a dentist twice a year: Biannual visits to a family dentist increases the odds that existing dental issues are detected in their early stages. Many oral issues like cavities and gum disease lead to bad breath, which can only be cured with dental treatment.
• Stop using tobacco: Smoking or using other tobacco products leaves a person's mouth with an unpleasant smell, and it dries it out. A dry mouth is more likely to have an offensive odor, such as bad breath. 
• Drink a lot of water: Water helps to prevent the mouth from drying out which helps to prevent bad breath. Water also cleans the mouth, washing away acids and bacteria in the mouth. Sugarless chewing gum can also be used to keep the mouth lubricated. 
• Avoid foods that cause bad breath: It is difficult to keep the mouth smelling fresh when consuming things like garlic or fish. These foods have overpowering odors that can linger for hours. 

Getting treatment for bad breath

Family dentists can also help patients to prevent some of the conditions that cause bad breath. They can treat existing dental issues that cause toothaches. For example, if a person has bad breath as a result of a severely decayed tooth, the dentist can address it by treating the decay with a root canal and covering it up with a crown.

Treating the underlying cause of bad breath is the most effective way to eliminate it. In some cases, a person's bad breath might be caused by health problems like gastrointestinal or respiratory issues. Getting these issues treated helps to eliminate a person's bad breath.

We can help eliminate bad breath

Call or visit the Sunnyvale clinic when looking for ways to reduce bad breath. Additionally, an evaluation can be done in order to determine if there are any underlying issues causing a foul odor. Reach out today to get started with an appointment. We are here to help you!

Request an appointment here: https://stonecanyondental.com or call Stone Canyon Dental at (972) 996-3191 for an appointment in our Sunnyvale office.

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