Do people take a step back when you’re speaking? Do friends, family and co-workers constantly offer you gum or breath mints? If so, you could be suffering from chronic bad breath—halitosis—and not even know it!
Causes
Bad breath is commonly caused by the millions of bacteria that live in your mouth, especially on the tongue and gums. Other causes of bad breath include:
Most types of periodic bad breath aren’t cause for concern. In most cases, your dentist can treat the cause. If your dentist determines the problem isn’t related to oral health, you may be referred to your family doctor or a specialist to determine the source of the odor and how to treat it.
Tips to improve bad breath
Practicing good oral care is often all it takes to keep odor-causing bacteria at bay.
Lifestyle changes can also help you beat bad breath:
Keep a log of the foods you eat if you think they may be causing bad breath. Also, make a list of the medications you take, as some may play a role in creating mouth odors.
And don’t forget to see your dentist regularly—at least twice a year. They can detect and treat periodontal disease, dry mouth or other oral health issues that can cause bad breath. A professional teeth cleaning will remove the buildup of plaque and bacteria that cause odor.
Need a dentist?
You can find one at floridabluedental.com/find-a-dentist.