What causes bad breath?
As mentioned above, over 100 things can contribute to halitosis, including insufficient brushing and flossing, dry mouth, medications, odorous foods, acid reflux, and tobacco products. When it comes to poor hygiene, bacteria that form on your teeth – especially between them – and your tongue and gums, can produce unpleasant smells. These bacteria are also responsible for tooth decay and gum disease.
How you can combat bad breath
- Professional dental cleanings from your Vancouver dentist. You’ll significantly reduce your risk of developing oral disease by seeing us for a thorough cleaning twice a year. And it’s a great time to bring any concerns to our attention or ask questions about your current cleaning routine. You can ask us anything.
- Brush and floss regularly at home. To keep your breath as fresh as possible, it’s a must to brush twice a day and floss once a day. By doing so, you can eliminate the bacteria that live on your tongue and teeth – the bacteria responsible for unsavoury smells.
- Drink lots of water. This will keep your saliva flowing. If you’re in a situation when you can’t brush, just rinse thoroughly with water and brush as soon as possible. You can also chew on sugar-free candy and gum to stimulate saliva production. The best kind contains xylitol because it tastes sweet but doesn’t cause decay.
Next steps for dealing with bad breath
Are you, or anyone you know, dealing with bad breath and had enough? Call us – your dentist in Vancouver – for professional support and treatment. We’ll determine what the cause is and help make it go away.
