Bad Breath Despite Brushing

 

Nearly all of us have experienced unpleasant breath odor. While bad breath is common when you wake up in the morning or after you’ve eaten garlic bread, if the foul odor persists on a daily basis, you could be suffering from halitosis. Halitosis, the medical term for bad breath, can be especially frustrating to deal with if you struggle to get fresh breath even after you brush your teeth. 

Beware of Mints and Mouthwash

Are you using mints to combat your bad breath? You should know that you may only be making things worse. The frequent use of peppermints is not only masking your bad breath, but it is adding more sugar to your mouth. Keep in mind that foul breath odor is rooted in oral bacteria, and bacteria feeds and breeds on sugars. In fact, when bacteria and sugars combine, a Sulphur compound is produced – which is what gives your breath that stinky smell. 

While mouthwash may work for some, it doesn’t always effectively address bad breath. If you are using an alcohol-based mouthwash, it can dry out your mouth. We know that dry mouth contributes to bad breath because we need saliva to balance our oral pH as well as rinse away bacteria and food debris.

Other Bad Breath Causes 

If you’ve stepped up your oral hygiene game (including brushing your tongue and flossing), and you still have bad breath, it may be time to investigate other causes.  The following are typical halitosis culprits:

• Dry Mouth
• Decay
• Gum Disease
• Medical Conditions (strep throat, acid reflux, sinus infection, etc)
• Tobacco Use

Let Your Dentist Tackle Your Bad Breath

At Riverwood Dental, we offer halitosis treatment to patients of all ages. We know that bad breath can be embarrassing, but please don’t be ashamed to tell your dentist. Your bad breath could be out of your control and a warning sign that your dental health is compromised. In most cases, we can treat your foul breath and help you regain a fresh and confident smile.