Dealing With Bad Breath? Learn How to See an Improvement

Bad breath isn’t just unflattering. It can also be a sign that you’re developing various oral health issues.

Fortunately, there are plenty of easy ways to improve the scent of your breath. Every bit counts towards achieving the best breath possible.

So, if you want to improve your breath’s freshness, what should you do? Check out our tips below.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Poor Oral Hygiene Habits

It’s important to keep up with your oral hygiene for a number of reasons – among them, your breath. If you don’t brush at least twice a day and floss daily, you run the risk of leaving food particles trapped between your teeth and in your gums. Additionally, bacteria called plaque can form on your teeth, adding to the problem. Without being removed, plaque can harden to form tartar, which will add further damage.

If these deposits persist over time and are not removed, they will cause gum disease. That can range from gingivitis to periodontitis, which is an inflammation of the gums that can result in loss of bone support around the teeth. This bone loss creates deep pockets around the teeth that collect food and bacteria which increases the inflammation and leads to bad breath. This is a vicious cycle that can be stabilized with a professional dental cleaning if caught early and if routine dental cleaning appointments are performed.

The tongue should also be cleaned during brushing. The tongue can trap bacteria, which can produce an unsavoury scent. You can use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to properly clean your tongue.

Low Saliva Production

If you experience ‘dry mouth,’ you might notice that your breath has a certain odour to it. That’s because both problems are linked to low saliva production. You may have heard of the phrase ‘morning breath’ – this phenomenon is caused by low saliva production during sleep.

Smoking

On a pack of cigarettes, you’ll read that “smoking causes bad breath” among a list of other warning messages. Why, though, does smoking affect your breath?

There are a few reasons: the smell of cigarette smoke can stay in your breath for extended periods of time – especially when one smokes multiple cigarettes a day, over an extended period of time.

Additionally, smoking can dry out your mouth and damage your gums – both of which can cause bad breath.

Nutrition

Many cases of bad breath are actually linked to food. Think of foods that leave with you with bad breath – onions, garlic, coffee, and many others. When particles from these foods get stuck in your teeth, the odours they leave can be particularly noticeable.

Oral Health Issues

It’s possible that a case of bad breath comes from an issue or condition that requires urgent attention. From infections to tonsil issues, there are plenty of possible causes. If you are concerned about what bad breath may be a sign of, share your concerns with your dentist.

How to Improve Bad Breath

If you experience odorous breath, don’t worry – there are plenty of ways you can take action.

Reinforce Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Every bit of effort you put into your oral health will pay off, and you can easily improve your oral hygiene over time. If you don’t currently fulfill your basic oral hygiene needs, start there.

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes per session, as well as flossing at least once per day, are both important steps to take. For added support, you may choose to use mouthwash.

Pro-tip: Remember to replace your toothbrush every two months! A toothbrush can collect bacteria and grime, which can compromise the quality of your brushing and give you poor breath.

Talk to Your Dentist

If you ever have any concerns about your oral health, talking to your dentist is a must. The smell of your breath is definitely something your dentist can help you with. Still, many patients avoid talking about the issue due to shame or embarrassment. Trust us – if anyone is willing to help you with this issue, it’s your dentist!

Your dentist can help you determine what specifically is causing the issue and what you can do to see an improvement.

Quit Smoking

There are plenty of health benefits to cutting this habit. Among others, you’ll notice an improvement in your breath upon quitting smoking. That’s because smoking affects your breath in plenty of ways: besides the smell of the smoke itself, smoking can affect your gum health, which, in turn, affects your breath.

Many smokers find it particularly difficult to quit. If you need one more thing to motivate you, let it be your oral health.

See a Doctor If Necessary

If you know that your oral hygiene habits are strong, and you still notice a harmful odour, you may choose to speak to your doctor. Your dentist can help you with oral health-related issues, but sometimes, breath is linked to other health problems. Your doctor may be able to diagnose these problems and suggest treatment that can, in turn, improve your breath.

Conclusion

Bad breath might be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to stick around forever. By taking control of your oral hygiene, you can see an improvement and feel it too. Consider the tips we’ve shared above, and you’ll see improvements that go beyond the smell of your breath.