Bad breath is a familiar issue to many of us, but do you know the extent? Believe it or not, halitosis affects around 1 in 4 people at any time, making it one of the most common conditions worldwide.

Fortunately, there are solutions available for this slightly embarrassing issue. Let’s talk about some helpful bad breath solutions you can try any time!

 

Causes Of Bad Breath

Before we discuss solutions, we first need to know the problem. Here are some of the most common bad breath causes to worry about.

 

Bacterial Growth In The Mouth

We all have trillions of bacteria in our mouths. Some of them even help us in many ways.

However, excessive bacterial growth in your mouth will lead to bad breath. We are hard-wired to dislike the smell of bacteria for our own safety, and our mouths happen to make excellent breeding grounds for them.

 

Dry Mouth

We’ve all experienced dry mouth from time to time. This is when our glands don’t produce enough saliva. An easy solution is to drink more water throughout the day.

 

Certain Foods And Drinks

Certain foods and beverages notoriously cause bad breath, including garlic, onions, and coffee. However, the list doesn’t stop there. If you notice you have bad breath at certain times of the day, consider changing some of the foods you eat around that time.

 

Medical Conditions

Not to frighten you, but certain medical conditions can lead to bad breath. These include oral conditions such as gingivitis or tooth decay, but sinus infections, diabetes, and even seasonal allergies can lead to bad breath. If all else fails, talk to your doctor.

 

How To Prevent Bad Breath

Prevention is the key to long-term oral health and good breath. Here are some helpful tips to prevent bad breath.

 

Proper Oral Care Routine

Brushing, flossing, and mouthwash are the three essentials every night for your oral hygiene routine, followed by brushing your teeth again in the morning.

However, there’s a lot more you can do. Start by using our oral health guide as a reference.

 

Brushing And Flossing

Every night, after the last thing you eat or drink (other than water), it’s time to floss and then brush. Flossing first helps get some of the plaque out of the way for your brush, and brushing helps get the plaque out of the way for your mouthwash. Remember, cleaning teeth and gums are essential for your breath.

Also, brush lightly and in circular motions. Brushing too hard can damage your enamel and potentially worsen the problem.

 

Tongue Scraping

Brushing your teeth only reaches about 25% of your mouth. Your tongue handles food the same way your teeth do, but it requires special care. Consider using a tongue scraper for the best results.

 

Dental Cleanings

Did you know that 20% of Canadians don’t have a dentist? If you’re one of them, then this could be the cause of your problem.

You need professional dental cleanings at least every six months. There is simply no way around it. Check out our dental services to book an appointment today.

 

Tips And Tricks For Fresher Breath

When you need immediate relief, there are options. Here are some ways to get fresher breath right away.

 

Mouthwash

You should always use mouthwash after brushing and flossing at night, but you can also use it as a way to help with bad breath as it occurs.

 

Chewing Gum Or Mints

Chewing sugar-free gum or mints is a great way to help improve your breath in the short term and possibly even in the long term. However, if they aren’t sugar-free, they can actually worsen the problem in the long term, as the sugar will help bacteria proliferate.

 

Brush Your Teeth After Eating

It may be annoying, but it’s the best way to prevent bad breath. If you want to keep a fresher smile and breath throughout the day, brushing after each meal is the way to go.

 

Lifestyle Changes For Fresher Breath

Your oral healthcare routine should be enough to help stave off bad breath, especially if you brush after each meal. However, if that isn’t enough, then here are a couple of changes you can make now to improve your breath.

 

Quit Smoking And Limit Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol and tobacco are notorious for causing bad breath. Even if you haven’t smoked or had a drink for a full day, the chemicals stay in your system and can cause long-term oral health issues. Of course, that’s not to mention the immediate “beer breath” or “smoker’s breath”.

 

Eating A Balanced Diet

Don’t underestimate the power of eating a healthy, balanced diet when it comes to oral health. Drinking more water throughout the day, eating more whole foods, and limiting your processed food intake will go a long way.

Of course, that’s not just for your bad breath, as “you are what you eat”. Try your best to limit or remove your intake of fast foods and ultra-processed snacks throughout the day for the best results.

 

Medical Treatments For Bad Breath

When all else fails, you may need medical treatment to cure persistent bad breath. Here are your options.

 

Medications

Your dentist or doctor may prescribe certain medications to address bad breath. If they can identify the root cause of the problem, then the medication will work to address this.

However, these medications will require a prescription, meaning you will need to visit a health care professional.

 

Dental Procedures

Finally, your dentist may suggest that you need a dental procedure. There are plenty of procedures that can address bad breath, and they’re widely dependent on the root cause. Visit your dentist today to see what’s right for you!

 

The Takeaway

Now that you know how to address your bad breath, put these tips to use and achieve a fresher smile today! There are many potential culprits for bad breath, but you can treat all of them with proper care and persistence.

Keep reading our blog for our latest dental tips, and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment today!