No one wants to walk into a party and realize that their breath is stale and unpleasant. Unfortunately, for some patients, getting and keeping fresh breath can seem like a major challenge.
Our O’Fallon cosmetic dentist office is here to help you reach all of your dental goals. That is why we are taking the time today to talk about how bad breath develops, and what you can do about it. After reading this short article, I hope that you will feel more confident about taking control of your dental health.
Bad breath—what is it, how does it happen?
If you suffer from chronic bad breath, you will probably notice that your mouth emits unpleasant smells during the day. However, you may also find that your mouth feels dry and gritty, and that your teeth do not feel smooth when you run your tongue over them.
Obviously, if you eat strongly smelling foods, your breath will likely temporarily take on some of those odors. Chronic bad breath, however, is the result of oral bacteria building up in the mouth. You see, when the oral bacteria on your teeth and gums feed and multiply, they emit odor as a byproduct.
So what can you do?
The best thing that you can do in order to give your mouth a fresh slate, is to minimize oral bacteria as much as possible. So take the time to brush, floss, and complete your professional dental cleanings. You can also add a mouth rinse into the mix (even in the middle of the day) for a breath freshening boost.
Also, be aware that hard candies and sugary gum can actually give oral bacteria more to feed on. To improve your breath during the day, rinse with water, drink plenty of water, and use a mouth rinse if your dentist finds it appropriate.
As always, our O’Fallon cosmetic dentist office is here to give you more information should you need it. Please contact us if you need additional help or support!