Having a bad breath is embarrassing and lowers one's self-esteem. It can also lead to anxiety and other social problems. Certain health conditions, foods, and habits can cause bad breath. Practicing good oral hygiene can improve or eliminate bad breath. If these self-care techniques don't help, there could be other serious causes of bad breath, and you need to see your dentist.
Causes of Bad Breath
Bad breath has numerous causes. Eating foods with strong odors such as onions and garlic can lead to bad breath. Once these foods are digested, they are absorbed into the bloodstream and later pass to the lungs, affecting your breath. Also, the food particles that are stuck in or on your teeth can cause a foul odor if they remain in your mouth for an extended period, increasing bacterial growth.
You can also have bad breath if you have a dry mouth. Saliva cleans your mouth by removing food particles that can cause bad breath. Chronic dry mouth mainly affects people with salivary glands problems. Other causes of bad breath are mouth infections, poor dental hygiene, nose or throat conditions, tobacco products, and medications.
How to Get Rid of Bad Breath
If you want to eliminate bad breath, ensure you properly brush your teeth two times a day using a bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Also, make sure you scrape your tongue while brushing and flossing more often. Stop chewing or smoking tobacco products. Ensure you drink plenty of fluoride water to keep your mouth moist. You can chew sugarless gum to increase saliva production. Fluoride products will help prevent tooth decay. Besides, ensure you eat many fruits and vegetables like apples and raw carrots to remove food particles and odor-causing plaque from your mouth. Avoid eating sugary foods, and most importantly, plan regular dental check-ups.
Dental Blog | Dentist Normandy Park, WA | Watermark Dentistry Our team at Watermark Dentistry has provided this educational blog as a resource to our patients. Click here to learn about procedures, home care and more! Watermark Dentistry, 18537 First Avenue South, Suite A, Normandy Park, WA 98148-1888 • (206) 242-5808 • watermarkdentistry.com • 5/24/2023 • Associated Words: dentist Normandy Park WA •
Having a bad breath is embarrassing and lowers one's self-esteem. It can also lead to anxiety and other social problems. Certain health conditions, foods, and habits can cause bad breath. Practicing good oral hygiene can improve or eliminate bad breath. If these self-care techniques don't help, there could be other serious causes of bad breath, and you need to see your dentist.