Have you noticed that you have bad breath? Is it a problem even if you didn’t eat something particularly stinky? Halitosis is the name for chronic bad breath, and there is a whole list of things that can cause the condition. Dr. Bethea and the team at Bethea Family Dentistry first and foremost recommend thorough brushing and flossing twice daily to prevent bad breath. Aside from that, here are some tips for combating foul mouth odor.
Remember to Brush Your Tongue
Many people skip right over their tongue when they’re doing their daily brushing. The fact is, odor-causing bacteria like to hang out on the tongue too. You can use your toothbrush or you can buy a special tongue scraper to carefully clean the area.
Stay Hydrated
It may sound a little odd, but stimulating saliva production actually helps since dry mouth can cause bad breath. To prevent your mouth from being dry, you should drink plenty of water and if desired, you can chew sugar-free gum. You can also limit how much you’re drinking beverages like coffee and alcohol since both are known to dry out the mouth.
Consult Your General Doctor
There are some medications and medical conditions that can cause dry mouth and bad breath as a side effect. For example, diabetes, liver and kidney conditions, and tonsil infections are all known to cause bad breath. While we’re not recommending that you stop any medication you’re currently on, it could be worth having a conversation with your general doctor to see if there are alternative prescriptions available that don’t have bad breath as a side effect.
Halitosis Treatment at Bethea Family Dentistry
If it seems like whatever you do you’re not able to get rid of your bad breath, we recommend scheduling a visit with us at Bethea Family Dentistry. Bad breath can be caused by gum disease or a number of other oral health problems. As part of our suite of dental services, we offer many treatments than can help with halitosis. We’d be happy to help you find a solution to this embarrassing problem. Call or email us today to make an appointment!