Management of Bad Breath

In order to manage Halitosis there are several options:

-Oral hygiene-brush your teeth, tongue and gums after meals-floss daily, use mouthwash and visit your dentist for an exam and teeth cleaning regulary

-Dental problems-restore tooth decay, restore faulty dental work, eg. ill-fitting dentures, and consult with the periodontist for gum disease.

-Dry mouth-drink plenty of water. Chewing sugarless gum can help with the production of saliva and reduce bad breath.

-Avoid strong and spicy foods. This is because the odor from these foods is expelled from our lungs after the foods are absorbed into the bloodstream.

Lifestyle changes and choices are also contributing factors for bad breath, especially with teens. Tobacco use, eating disorders and braces are some examples of these changes and choices.

-Don't use tobacco products
-Eat a healthy and nutritious diet
-Visit the dentist for regular check ups
-Floss at least once a day
-Brush your teeth and tongue twice a day

It is essential for teenagers to learn the benefits of good oral hygiene early in life. Good oral hygiene is often the key to preventing and eliminating bad breath, along with many other dental problems. 

Anna Lee, DDS

Do you have bad breath?

Halitosis (Bad Breath)

What is halitosis? It is a term used to describe breath that has an unpleasant odor or bad breath. Having bad breath can be embarrassing; it is estimated to the third most frequent reason people seek dental care, following tooth decay and periodontal disease. There are some medical conditions that may cause bad breath.

Causes of bad breath:

The most common location for mouth-related halitosis is the tongue. Tongue bacteria account for 80-90% of all cases of mouth-related bad breath. Other causes include:

-Poor dental hygiene-infrequent or improper brushing and flossing

-Infections and oral lesions in the mouth, tooth decay, periodontal disease, areas in between the teeth where food gets caught

-External sources-garlic, onions, coffee, cigarette smoking

-Xerostomia/Dry mouth-salivary gland problems, medications, mouth breathing

-Faulty dental work, unclean dentures

-Respiratory tract infections-throat, sinus or lung infections

-Medical problems-diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, lung disease, sinus disease, and reflux disease

If you notice that you have bad breath, don't be embarrassed but seek help. It is recommended to consult with the dentist or medical doctor to find out if bad breath may be caused by dental or medical problems. Bad breath caused by dental problems can be prevented easily with proper home and professional care.

Anna Lee, D.D.S.