Ways to Deal With Bad Breath

added on: August 30, 2020

bad breathBad breath isn’t fun for anyone. We’ve rounded up some top tips on how to deal with bad breath:

  • Brush teeth at least two times per day, especially right after you eat sugary foods, which may increase the build up of bacteria.
  • Twice is nice, but try and floss at least once a day.
  • Scrape or brush the tongue. Your tongue can easily become coated with bacteria, particularly if you use tobacco or have dry mouth.
  • Consume more water. This assists in washing away bacteria and helps prevent dry mouth.
  • Try to cut back on caffeine to decrease dry mouth. Caffeine will suppress saliva’s production, your body’s natural method of cleansing bacteria from your mouth.
  • Avoid garlic and onions. Brushing won’t get rid of bad breath that stems from food sources such as these. This type of odor actually emerges from the lungs over a couple of hours after the food gets processed inside the body.
  • Avoid crash dieting, which may cause your body to release ketones. These can have a distinct smell when they exit your body.
  • Get a brand new toothbrush every 3 months.
  • For a temporary, quick fix, try some home remedies such as chewing fennel, parsley, and oranges, or consuming green tea, pineapple juice, and milk.
  • Keep your dentures and additional oral appliances clean.
  • Check all tooth implants or replacements, as those may be common sites that can collect bacteria or even develop infection. Ask your dental specialist for recommendations on the top cleaning products for implants, onlays, and inlays.
  • Don’t skip your professional dental cleaning and checkup. A trip to your dentist might be the only method of diagnosing and treating issues such as gum infection or disease, which may be causing persistent bad breath.
  • If the dentist sees no halitosis sources in the mouth, see your family physician to rule out other potential causes such as gastroesophageal reflux, respiratory infections, or a more severe condition such as a metabolic disease or liver failure.

Dr. Dan and Lisa Phelps and the rest of our team at Phelps Family Dental are glad to answer any questions you have concerning bad breath. Routine checkups and cleanings may assist in preventing gum disease and bad breath, so be sure to book your appointment.

For more information on our general dentistry services in Wilmington, NC, please feel free to get in touch with Phelps Family Dental today at 910-762-3481.

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