Chronic bad breath can have significant personal and social impacts. General dentistry has covered different forms of treating and preventing bad breath. If you suffer from chronic bad breath, you may want to know if there is a cure for the condition. Well, you are not alone. Many people in the middle and old age category suffer from bad breath mainly due to lifestyle habits like smoking and poor dental hygiene.
Main causes of bad breath
There are different reasons why you may experience bad breath. From the foods you eat to the medications you take and habits like smoking, bad breath occurs when you also don’t take good care of your teeth and gums. Tooth decays and cavities can cause bad breath because lots of bacteria harbored in your mouth. It’s always important to brush and floss as regularly as it is recommended by the dentist in order to avoid bad breath.
There exist other causes of bad breath such as dry mouth and diseases like diabetes, nose, throat, sinus and lung infections. If you are suffering from chronic bad breath, it is very important to approach a dentist and have them diagnose the condition. You could be having a serious underlying condition that needs to be addressed immediately.
How to cure or control bad breath
First things first, you must work with your dentist Richmond Hill to help you determine what is causing the bad breath. If for instance, the dentist discovers that the bad breath is a result of medications you are taking, you may be asked to visit your doctor and ask for alternative medicines that do not have the same effect.
Eating foods, especially proteins, spices, cheeses and onions in the evening, can cause bad breath in the early morning. Brush and floss your teeth to avoid the bacteria from building up and resulting in bad breath.
Natural ways to fight bad breath
You can take simple steps to fight bad breath naturally. Below are a few tips you may want to consider:
- Always drink plenty of water especially in the morning. It helps to prevent dry mouth and get rid of bacteria that can cause bad breath.
- Brush after every meal and floss twice every day.
- Get rid of your toothbrush after every two to three months. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles so that you don’t damage your gums and expose them to infections.
- If you have dentures, make sure you remove them and clean them properly every evening.
- Visit the dental office Richmond Hill for regular checkups and cleanings
- Chew a piece of lemon when you have bad breath. The citric in lemons helps to stimulate the salivary glands to get rid of the bad breath.
- Prepare your own mouthwash that doesn’t contain any alcohol unlike most of what is found in the shops. Just mix a cup of water with a teaspoon of baking soda then add a few drops of peppermint essential oil. Make sure you don’t swallow the mouth wash. Just use it to rinse your mouth several times.
There are many other approaches in family dentistry that can successfully help to fight bad breath. Consider consulting your dentist if the bad breath persists.
Learn more about Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Health from Richmond Hill Dentists