What To Do About Chronic Bad Breath?

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is characterised by an unpleasant oral odour. This can make simple things like having a close conversation with someone a source of embarrassment and anxiety. Brushing and flossing can help by removing bacteria and other substances from the mouth that can create a foul smell. What if you still experience symptoms even with good oral hygiene?

Determining the cause of bad breath can be tricky without the help of a healthcare professional because there are so many possibilities of what may be causing it. Simple factors such as the nature of your eating habits or poor dental hygiene can lead to halitosis. Other oral health issues such as dry mouth and gum disease may be the culprit. Having chronic bad breath can also indicate a serious health problem such as a respiratory infection or problems with the liver or kidneys. To find out what is causing the problem, make an appointment with your dentist. After examining your mouth and discussing your habits and medical history, he can give you a diagnosis and refer you to your family physician or another medical professional if necessary.

Your dentist or doctor can talk to you about ways to address any health issues that are triggering halitosis. Another step that you can take is to make sure that you are practicing great oral care habits. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily will help to control bacteria in the mouth, thus controlling odour. Brush for two minutes at a time, brush all surfaces of teeth and your tongue. For that fresh-mouth feel, try a toothpaste that is designed to combat bad breath. Use floss to keep the spaces in between your teeth clean. You can also use an interdental brush to clean hard-to-reach places. Regular dental visits are another part of good oral hygiene. See your dentist twice a year for a check-up, a professional cleaning with the dental hygienist and to talk about any oral health concerns that you may have.