If you have chronic bad breath, you know how embarrassing this problem can be. Instead of temporarily masking the odour with breath mints, gum and other freshening products, get to the root of this unpleasant condition and eliminate it once and for all. Start by getting an accurate diagnosis from your dentist. Once you know the specific cause of your bad breath, you can address it while also keeping up with your excellent oral care habits.
What To Do About Chronic Bad Breath?
What Is Causing Your Halitosis?
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 germs and other substances that can create a foul smell from the mouth. 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 possible causes. 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, can also be the culprit. Moreover, in some cases chronic bad breath can 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 or she can give you a diagnosis and refer you to your family physician or another medical professional if necessary.
How to Stop Chronic Bad Breath
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 practising great oral care habits. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily will help to control germs in the mouth, thus controlling odour. Brush for two minutes at a time, brushing all surfaces of your teeth and tongue. For that fresh-mouth feel, try a toothpaste that is designed to help 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.