One of the most embarrassing dental problems out there is chronic bad breath. When your breath isn’t fresh, you’ll probably find that you avoid smiling, laughing, and striking up conversations in public. Bad breath affects your self-esteem and your behavior, but this treatable condition doesn’t have to take over your life.
The number one cause of bad breath is oral infection, or an overabundance of bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria create unpleasant odors when they convert starch and sugars into energy. Plaque and tartar allow bacteria to thrive and attach to your teeth. It’s important, therefore, the eliminate plaque and tartar as much as possible every day.
Our Glendale dentists recommend that you brush and floss at least twice a day at home. Brushing removes plaque from the outside of your teeth, and floss effectively cleans plaque between teeth. Diligent brushing and flossing can keep your plaque and tartar accumulation to a minimum, thereby freshening your breath.
If you’re still experiencing stale breath you may want to add a antimicrobial rinse to your daily dental hygiene routine. These rinses also kill bacteria, and when used to supplement flossing and brushing, they can kill bacteria you may otherwise miss.
It’s also important to consider your diet when combating bad breath. Keep in mind that foods high in starch and sugars may contribute to bad breath because they feed bacteria. Try to swap these foods out for healthy fruits and veggies. And when you consume odor-causing foods, try to brush or rinse your teeth soon afterward.
The key to controlling bad breath is to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Dental decay and periodontal disease will make it difficult for you to keep your breath fresh. Give our Glendale general dentists a call if you’re still struggling with malodorous breath—we can help you develop a dental treatment plan that works for you.