Nobody wants to have bad breath. That’s why products that promise a fresher-smelling mouth are so popular.
Eating a mint to mitigate the after-effects of a particularly garlicky dinner is one thing, but freshening products are useless in treating chronic bad breath, otherwise known as haliotosis. The only way to truly defeat it is to identify and treat the underlying source. If you’re wondering, “why do I have bad breath?” or “how do I get rid of bad breath?”, this article is for you. Here are some of the most common causes of bad breath and the best ways to treat it.
Inadequate oral hygiene
Your mouth contains hundreds of types of helpful bacteria that help break down food particles stuck to your teeth. The catch is that they secrete a byproduct — volatile sulphur compounds — which cause the rotten-egg smell associated with bad breath. While your saliva removes most of this waste, it’s imperative that you brush your teeth at least twice a day to remove it entirely.
In addition, make a habit of cleaning the back of your tongue with your toothbrush or a tongue scraper. That’s where most of the offending bacteria reside.
Dry mouth
Your saliva works around the clock to clean the inside of your mouth, but if you aren’t producing enough of it, foul-smelling bacteria are able to thrive. Dry mouth may be caused by certain medications, salivary problems or mouth breathing. Solutions include drinking more water and chewing sugar-free gum to produce more saliva. Alternatively, your dentist can prescribe a dry mouth treatment such as artificial saliva spray or suggest an over-the-counter product.
Gum disease
Bad breath can be a symptom of advanced gum disease, which is caused by excessive plaque buildup. Symptoms include swelling, pain and bleeding of the gums. In addition to maintaining good oral hygiene, yearly professional teeth cleaning can help prevent gum disease. In most cases, the damage caused by gum disease isn’t permanent and there are treatments available to help restore the health of your gums.
Dentists in Edmonton
If you’re dealing with bad breath or any other dental problem, the experienced team at Janz Family Dental is here to help. We’re always happy to welcome in new patients at our practice in the Jasper Place neighbourhood in West Edmonton. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
