Most people aren’t aware that they have bad breath until a friend or relative gives them the bad news. Then most of us scramble to find ways of covering it up, such as chewing gum, using mouthwash, and chewing breath mints constantly. A better approach, according to the team of dental professionals at the Garden City Dental Group – Dr. Lizzio, Dr. Cerrato, and Dr. Sheehan – would be to fix the problem at the source. Here are 5 possible bad breath sources that you should check into.
Mouth Infections
Decomposing bacteria are always around when you have a mouth infection, and they often release bad odors during that decaying process. You may have an infection of the soft tissue surrounding the crown of one of your teeth.
Odor From Drugs
Some medications cause dry mouth. When that happens, there’s less saliva in the mouth to neutralize acids, flush out dead cells, and prevent the buildup of bacteria and other particles from foods.
Long Gaps Between Meals
When you skip meals and leave unusually long periods between them, there is far less saliva in your mouth, and that can lead to the same conditions as dry mouth – insufficient saliva to keep the mouth cleaner.
Poor Brushing/Flossing Technique
Many people don’t do either of these crucial actions quite right, which causes food particles to build up, and bad breath to rule. When brushing, you should hold your brush at a 45-degree angle horizontally, and brush back and forth for two minutes, using short strokes. When flossing, be thorough but gentle, and go right up against each tooth.
Cavities
If you don’t act on cavities right away, especially the smaller ones that aren’t yet painful, bacteria will erode the tooth surface and release unpleasant odors in the process.
If you notice that you’ve developed persistent bad breath, it may be a sign of a more serious oral health concern. Give us a call at Garden City Dental Group to schedule your next cleaning and examination!