At J Street Dental Group, we’re here to help all of our patients reach their smile and oral health goals, no matter what they are. One of the more common concerns we hear is how to combat bad breath. We’re more than happy to help get breath kissably fresh, but we’d also like to educate our neighbors on what may be causing the bad breath in the first place.
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Bad Breath Isn’t Just a Mouth Problem
First thing’s first: bad breath isn’t something that only affects your oral health. In fact, bad breath is linked to several serious whole-body health concerns including, gum disease, kidney or liver disease, diabetes, and respiratory tract problems. If you suffer from chronic bad breath, call J Street Dental Group as soon as possible.
What’s Causing the Bad Breath?
Food
When bad breath isn’t a constant thing, it may be nothing to worry about. This is usually the case when you eat something particularly pungent like garlic or onions. While the smell can linger even after brushing, once the food leaves your system, the bad breath disappears.
Inadequate Oral Hygiene
Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day and flossing once a day can do wonders for a healthy mouth and fresh breath. Proper at-home oral hygiene helps rid the mouth of any food particles that may be wedged in between teeth and kills odor causing bacteria. Without a proper hygiene routine, bad breath is almost a sure thing.
Tobacco Use
Both smoking and chewing tobacco have a host of health risks on their own — oral cancer, tooth loss, heart disease, and stroke, to list a few. Bad breath happens to be a side effect as well. If you currently use tobacco, talk with your doctor or dental team for help on how to quit.
Dry Mouth
A number of things such as medications or mouth breathing may lead to dry mouth. While this may seem like it’s no big deal, a dry mouth is an unhealthy mouth… and often a stinky one too. A mouth becomes dry when there’s not enough saliva production. Saliva normally helps wash away bacteria and neutralize acid. Without it, teeth are left exposed to decay and bacteria that cause bad breath.
You don’t have to live with the embarrassment of bad breath. Call J Street Dental Group today to schedule an appointment. We’ll review your oral health, habits, and conduct a thorough exam to get to the root of the problem. Then together, we’ll find a solution that’s best for you.
