Having bad breath is something that can go so much farther than your mouth. Being able to talk and smile with confidence impacts your life day to day, so getting to the bottom of your bad breath problems is a good idea. Galliano Dentistry has some answers to common questions you might have on the subject.
What are the Common Causes of Bad Breath?
There are various causes of bad breath. An illness, such as a sinus infection or gum disease, can quickly impact how your breath smells. How and how often you brush your teeth impacts it as well. It is recommended that you brush for 120 seconds twice a day. Don’t forget to brush your tongue while you are at it. Brushing after meals, instead of before breakfast for example, is a great way to get food that could be stuck in your teeth.
Tobacco is another large culprit for bad smelling breath. Taking steps to brush your teeth, keep your mouth from being dry, and avoiding other dental illnesses are all good, but stopping smoking or chewing tobacco will make a huge influence on how your breath smells. Another thing that might be overlooked is your breath smelling like powerful foods you eat. Foods such as garlic, coffee and onions tend to stick around long after your meal.
What are the Treatments for Bad Breath?
The most common treatment you can do is good, at-home dental hygiene. Brushing and flossing twice a day is always a good idea and can often diminish the odors in your mouth. For lifestyle changes, drinking more water and not smoking tobacco are likely to help you out as well. Going in for your twice a year dental check ups is also a great idea. The dentists at Galliano Dentistry know that these routine evaluations help keep your mouth as healthy as possible.
Are There Related Conditions?
If you have addressed these causes and bad breath is still something you are struggling with, there might be another reason for it. Gum disease occurs when plaque builds up on your teeth, which then makes bacteria grow. Eventually, toxins can start to irritate your gums, which is usually when people realize there is a problem. Bad breath can be a sign of gum disease, so if you are having problems with it and cannot figure out why, the team at Galliano Dentistry can evaluate your teeth and gums. Another issue that is associated with the problem is having a consistently dry mouth. Saliva does many things, including taking away odor in the mouth. Xerostomia, or dry mouth, can be addressed, which will help your breath as well.
The team at Galliano Dentistry have lots of experience making sure that you are happy with dental hygiene. Reach out today to get an appointment for yourself or for the whole family.