There’s no doubt about it, bad breath is unpleasant for everyone. The good news is that you don’t have to live with it indefinitely—there are things you can do to conquer bad breath! That’s what our Tinley Park dentists are going to be talking about today. So, keep reading to get the information you need to overcome chronic bad breath…
Types of Malodorous Breath
Not all types of bad breath are the same. Temporary bad breath, for example, occurs when we consume something that has a strong flavor, or that is especially pungent. You’re likely to notice this after eating garlic, onions, and meat, for example. On the other hand, chronic bad breath is often caused by harmful oral bacteria—the same bacteria that create dental cavities and periodontal disease. If you notice this type of malodorous breath, then it is time to talk to your dental team about steps you can take.
Short-term Relief
So, what can you do when bad breath rears its unpleasant head? Start by drinking a glass of water, in order to jump-start saliva production. You can also rinse your mouth with water or salt water to clear away food particles and plaque. Then, if you want to use mints or gum to mask bad breath, you should look for sugar-free options. Introducing additional sugars into your oral environment can intensify bacteria-related bad breath.
Long-term Treatments
As you might imagine, because oral bacteria create unpleasant odors, in order to achieve lasting relief from bad breath we need to treat existing dental cavities as well as gum disease. We’ll also design a preventive oral hygiene plan that helps to protect your smile from further infection. Another key to beating bad breath is remedying dry mouth, as bacteria thrive in this environment.
If you’re frequently experiencing bad breath day to day, it may be time to schedule a dental cleaning and assessment with our Chicago dentists. We can help you figure out why bad breath has become such a problem, and help you make a treatment plan moving forward.