There are so many gums and mints on the market today to help you cover up bad or stale breath. You can use these things for days, weeks, years, and never really get the fresh breath that you want.
The key to fighting bad breath is to address the root cause of the problem. Our Elmhurst dentists are here to explain who bad breath develops, and what you can do about it!
The first reason that you may be suffering from bad breath is because you have a lot of oral bacteria in your mouth. Oral bacteria, when they feed on sugars and multiply, emit unpleasant odors as a result. If you have existing plaque and tartar build-up, you will probably find that it is difficult to achieve fresh breath. In the same vein, if you are suffering from existing cavities or gum disease, you’ll likely suffer from bad breath as well. The key to overcoming this problem is to undergo a professional dental cleaning, and receive effective treatment for any existing dental infections.
You may also be dealing with bad breath because you have chronic dry mouth. Saliva is very important for you smile; saliva helps to neutralize bacteria and re-mineralize teeth. If you are suffering from dry mouth, you do not have enough saliva in your mouth. Bacteria thrive in this dry environment, so you’ll notice that your breath tastes and smells stale. Talk to your dentist about how to address dry mouth. You may simply need to be drinking more water throughout the day, or your salivary glands may be malfunctioning.
Finally, you may find that your breath is temporarily malodorous after you eat certain foods like onions, garlic, and spicy meats. Cleaning your smile can help to alleviate these types of odors, but for the most part you will need to wait until your body breaks down these substances for the taste/odor to full dissipate.
Contact our Elmhurst dentists to learn more about treating bad breath; schedule a consultation with our team to get personalized recommendations!