Everyone has coped with bad breath several times in their lives. It may become a dental problem if a strong odor persists on your breath after brushing or using mouthwash.
Your dental team will analyze your breath and compare it to the breath from your nose, and then rate the odor difference on a predetermined scale. The back of your tongue is quite often the source of the smell, so your dentist can scrape it and then rate the odor afterwards.
There are sophisticated odor detectors that will identify the chemicals creating your bad breath, but they are not used very often.
Treatment for Your Bad Breath
To reduce your bad breath, begin with improving your oral hygiene habits to both avoid cavities and to lower any risk of gum disease. Additional treatment may vary, depending on the original source. If your bad breath is being caused by an underlying health condition, your dentist may refer you to your primary care provider.
If the primary source is related to your oral health, your dentist and hygienist will collaborate with you to help you control the issue. Dental measures could include:
- Mouth Rinses and Toothpastes- If your bad breath is the result of an accumulation of plaque on your teeth, your dentist will recommend a mouth rinse that destroys excess bacteria. They might also recommend toothpaste with an antibacterial agent to remove the bacteria creating the buildup.
- Treatment of a Dental Disease- If you are suffering from gum disease, you might be referred to a periodontist. Gum disease results in your gums pulling away from your teeth, creating pockets that easily fill with bacteria. Professional teeth cleaning will remove these bacteria. You could also need to replace any failing tooth restorations.
At Home Treatments
To reduce or prevent bad breath:
- Brush your Teeth- Brush with a toothpaste that contains fluoride twice a day, two minutes each time, especially after meals. Toothpaste with antibacterial components will reduce your bad breath.
- Floss at Least Once a Day- Proper flossing removes food particles and plaque from between your teeth, which also helps control bad breath.
- Brush your Tongue- Your tongue retains bacteria as well, so brushing it can reduce odor. You could have a tongue coated with excessive bacteria, from smoking or dry mouth, and therefore would benefit from a tongue scraper.
- Clean Dentures or Dental Appliances- If you have a dental restoration like a bridge or a denture, clean it every day. If you use a mouth guard or retainer, clean it every time you put it in your mouth.
- Avoid Dry Mouth- Keep your mouth moist, drink a lot of water, and avoid coffee, soft drinks, alcohol, or tobacco, which can lead to a dry mouth. Chewing sugarless gum stimulates more saliva. For a persistent dry mouth, your dentist might prescribe medication to stimulate more saliva flow.
- Adjust your Diet- Avoid foods such as onions or garlic that naturally cause bad breath. Sugary foods will also cause bad breath.
- Get a New Toothbrush- Replace your toothbrush about every three months and use a soft-bristle toothbrush.
- Schedule Regular Dental Checkups- Schedule an appointment with your dentist on a regular basis, twice a year, to have your teeth and gums examined and professionally cleaned.