The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Bad Breath
You are not the only person to be concerned about bad breath. You’ve already found that mouthwash doesn’t work, so what do you do now?
Most often, the cause of bad breath traces back to bacteria. Our mouths contain both helpful and harmful bacteria. “Bad” bacteria cause gum disease, tooth cavities, and bad breath. Another possible reason is unclean dentures, partials or bridgework—but this traces back to bacteria as well. Plaque and other films that contain bacteria settle on any uneven areas of dental appliances. Use a cleaning product made for your appliance. A product that you soak your appliance in may help to loosen stubborn materials. You may also need to brush your appliance. If the material is really stuck to the appliance, your dentist or dental hygienist might be able to use a professional product to try to loosen the material.
Poor brushing habits allow bacteria-containing plaque to collect on your teeth and gums, once again causing bad breath. You can also try brushing or scraping your tongue to remove bacteria that collects there. This has been found to help in about 70% of the cases. In some cases, a professional dental cleaning or treatment for periodontal disease might be needed to help resolve your bad breath.
Dry mouth (which is also a bacteria related cause) can also contribute to bad breath. Many medications have a side effect of drying out the mouth. Sip on plain water or use sugar-free gums or candy to keep your mouth moist. There are also oral care products made to help with dry mouth that may help you. You might also be able to ask the doctor who prescribed the medication (s) if there is another one that will do the same thing but that doesn’t have dry mouth as a side effect.
Certain foods can also cause bad breath. Garlic and onions are two of the main ones. These can actually get into the respiratory (breathing) system and contribute to bad breath.
Your dentist can help you determine the cause of your bad breath by reviewing your medications to see which ones might cause dry mouth, checking your teeth for decay or cavities, checking your gums for periodontal disease, reviewing your diet and health history. Just remember, you are not alone in your struggle for fresh breath!
Dr. Jennifer Robb is accepting new patients to her general dentistry office at 1612 Cooper Foster Park Rd., Lorain, OH. Call 440-960-1940 to reserve your time! Dr. Robb can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DrJenniferRobb and at www.drjrobb.com