Temporary bad breath happens to everyone, and usually isn’t anything to worry about. If you have been eating heavily spiced meats, garlic, onions, a lot of dairy, or sugars you will likely find that your breath is affected until these foods are out of your system.
However, more chronic bad breath is often linked to oral health issues, and is something that you should address with your dental team. If you find that it is hard to keep your mouth feeling and smelling fresh, it may be due to a buildup of oral bacteria in your mouth. Oral bacteria release unpleasant odors as they grow and multiply.
When our O’Fallon dental team assesses your smile, we’ll determine the root cause of the malodorous breath, and then make recommendations that may include:
Improving your at-home oral hygiene routine
Specific tools, like a new toothbrush, Waterpik, or mouth rinse may help to neutralize oral bacteria and reduce plaque.
Increase water consumption
It is crucial to stay hydrated so that your body is able to produce enough saliva. Saliva works to minimize bacteria and re-mineralize dental enamel. Patients who deal with chronic dry mouth often experience halitosis as well.
Treat existing oral health conditions
Any existing dental infections, like cavities or gum disease, need to be treated before you’ll notice an improvement in your breath.
Take a look at your diet
There are certain foods that ramp up oral bacteria production, and thus contribute to bad breath. If you are sipping on sugary drinks throughout the day, or snacking on a lot of refined carbohydrates, try to minimize this habit to make it harder for bacteria to thrive.
With thoughtful, diligent care, you can kiss bad breath goodbye for good. Contact our O’Fallon dentists to learn more and to schedule a personal consultation with our team.