Bad Breath 101: A Cure with Cincinnati Family Dentistry

Bad breath is embarrassing, but if you experience it, you’re not alone. About half of adults have had halitosis or bad breath at some point. Another piece of good news is that lingering breath odor is usually preventable.

If you suffer from bad breath, you can handle it by understanding its typical causes, practicing good oral hygiene, and scheduling routine visits to your Cincinnati family dental provider.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Most cases of bad breath result from smoking, gum disease, dry mouth, or an imbalanced gut. Another major cause is a high sulfuric diet, which includes lots of onions and garlic. The sulfur in these foods is good for your immune system, but if people close to you are complaining, you might want to cut back.

In extreme cases, bad breath may indicate a more serious health issue, such as diabetes or kidney or liver disease. If the usual household remedies fail to eliminate your bad breath, it’s best to see a doctor.

In between dental checkups and professional cleanings from your Cincinnati provider, you can try the following solutions for mouth odor:

Try Cleaning Your Tongue

Removing the scum and stinky bacteria from your tongue helps reduce bad breath. Try brushing with a natural antimicrobial such as clove oil over the tongue’s surface.

Brushing alone might not be enough. You can also drag the side of a spoon or a tongue scraper over the surface of your tongue to remove the stubborn biofilm.

Brush and Floss More Often

Plaque is another source of bad breath, along with food getting stuck in your teeth and breaking down. Regular brushing and flossing remove both and are crucial to excellent dental hygiene.

Dental Rinse

For stubborn halitosis, your local dental office will likely recommend rinsing no more than three times a week with a saltwater solution or oral mouthwash. In addition to killing the stinky mouth bacteria, regular rinsing helps fight plaque and tooth decay.

Get Rid of Bad Breath with the Best Dental Care

Complete oral healthcare includes long-lasting solutions to bad breath and addressing its underlying causes. If you’re struggling with oral odor, the southwest Ohio dental professionals at Beckham Square Family Dental can help. Contact us for your next appointment, and we’ll provide you with the compassionate, comprehensive, and stress-free care you should expect from the best oral health providers where you live.