How to Cure Bad Breath

Bad breath, which is also known as halitosis, can develop for many reasons. Poor oral hygiene is often to blame for the unpleasant scent, as bacteria will grow if you don’t routinely brush and floss. 

However, it could be caused by various health conditions, such as acid reflux, dry mouth, an infection, head and neck cancers, diabetes, and more.  

Various treatment options are available to help you banish halitosis, which will be determined by its underlying cause. Continue reading to learn how to cure bad breath.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is the best way to develop fresh-smelling breath. We here at BAFdentistry recommend you brush your teeth twice a day for a minimum of two minutes per time with fluoride toothpaste. 

Reduce bad breath by brushing your teeth after eating and replace your toothbrush every three months or more if it appears worn.

Also, floss your teeth once per day to prevent food from becoming trapped between your teeth and causing bacteria to grow. 

Always Clean Your Tongue

Most people don’t realize that smelly breath often develops on the back of the tongue. If you suspect you have a breath problem or want to maintain a fresh scent each day, it is wise to scrape your tongue to banish the foul smell. 

You can use a specialized tongue scraper or your toothbrush to remove a thin layer of film, resulting in a clean tongue and fresher-smelling breath. It is the best way to care for your tongue health each day.

Attend Regular Checkups and Cleanings

Routine dental checkups and cleanings can help you maintain good oral hygiene throughout the years. 

Most people should book an appointment every six months; however, a dentist may recommend more frequent visits to protect your dental health.

In some cases, only professional cleanings can remove the foul-smelling bacteria from your mouth. 

Also, a dentist may need to replace a filling, as it might be causing bacteria to multiply inside your mouth.

If you follow good oral hygiene practices and are still struggling with a bad breath problem, a dentist may recommend visiting a healthcare practitioner or a specialist for an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

For instance, you will have an increased risk of halitosis if you have a respiratory infection, such as chronic bronchitis, postnasal drip, chronic sinusitis, or a lung, windpipe, or nose infection. 

Plus, you may develop bad breath if you have diabetes, a kidney or liver disorder, or a gastrointestinal disorder.

Treat Tonsil Stones

Tonsil stones are a culprit of halitosis, as they can develop when debris becomes trapped on the tonsils, such as food, bacteria, and dead cells. 

Many people can have the issue without realizing it, as they aren’t easy to see and can be as small as a grain of rice. 

Although tonsil stones are often harmless to your health, they can produce an unpleasant scent. However, they can grow in size and cause tonsil swelling.

You can treat tonsil stones by gargling a salt-water rinse, or a dentist may prescribe antibiotics to reduce bacterial growth. 

Various medical procedures are available to eliminate tonsil stones, too, such as laser tonsil cryptolysis, coblation cryptolysis, or a tonsillectomy.

Clean Dental Devices

If you routinely use a dental device, such as dentures, a mouth guard, a retainer, or a bridge, it is essential to thoroughly clean it a minimum of once per day. 

Always clean a mouth guard or dental retainer before placing it inside your mouth. Talk to a dentist about the best cleaning products for cleaning a dental device.

Moisten Your Mouth

Try to keep your mouth as moist as possible, especially if you have a dry mouth. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and avoid consuming an excessive amount of caffeine, alcohol, or spicy foods. 

Stop smoking to cure breath issues and protect your oral (and general) health.

Increase saliva production in your mouth by chewing on sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candy. 

Also, add foods that require extra chewing to your diet to prevent dry mouth. If necessary, a dentist may prescribe products that can help your body produce more saliva.

Avoid Smelly Foods

Your food choices could be to blame for your foul-smelling breath. Stop feeling self-conscious when talking by avoiding or reducing the number of smelly foods you consume each day. 

For instance, garlic, onions, Brussels sprouts, and smelly cheeses could be causing your bad breath. 

Treat Gum Disease ASAP

Bad-smelling breath is a symptom of gum disease, which you must address as soon as possible. 

In addition to causing halitosis, you may experience an unpleasant taste in your mouth, and you are more likely to develop receding gums, abscesses, and tooth loss, to name a few issues. 

Common gum disease signs include red or swollen gums, bleeding after flossing or brushing, loose teeth, and halitosis. 

Seek treatment right away to protect your oral health and, in turn, banish bad breath.

Say Goodbye to Tobacco

As mentioned earlier, smoking is one of many causes of bad breath. We strongly encourage you to avoid tobacco products to care for your oral health throughout the years. 

Cigars, cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco products can emit an unpleasant scent. Also, you will have an increased risk of periodontal disease, gum irritation, oral cancer, and loss of taste.

How does a Dentist diagnose Halitosis?

A qualified dentist can diagnose halitosis during a dental exam by assessing your mouth odour and reviewing your dental history. 

Following a thorough assessment of your mouth, they can provide advice or treatments to help you banish the problem, such as performing a professional cleaning. If they cannot find an obvious cause, they will likely refer you to a doctor or another specialist to identify and treat the underlying cause.

Do you suspect you have bad breath? Book an appointment at our friendly, professional dental clinic for a diagnosis and treatment. 

We can protect your oral health while helping you develop fresher-smelling breath each day. Call us today or send an email to arrange a full oral exam.