The best way to manage your bad breath, says Dr. Attar of Libertyville, IL, is to go right to the source of the problem, rather than trying to mask it with chewing gum or breath mints. Here are five possible culprits for causing bad breath:
Improper Brushing
If you aren’t flossing and brushing correctly, you could be leaving behind food particles and bacteria which will generate foul odors. Brush horizontally in short strokes for two minutes, and during flossing you should get the floss right up against the tooth surface, and a little into the gum line.
Wisdom Teeth
If you haven’t had your wisdom teeth removed, they can be causing bacteria and food particles to be trapped in your mouth. Natural decaying will release foul-smelling odors that you will experience as bad breath.
Odors From Medication
Some drugs like antihistamines and antidepressants can cause dry mouth. Since your mouth is normally flushed clean of bacteria, acids, and dead cells by the cleansing action of saliva, dry mouth takes away much of the oral cleansing that prevents bad breath.
Infections
You could have an infection around the crown of one or more teeth, and bacteria proliferate when infections are present. Decomposing bacteria from infections are notorious for causing bad breath.
Skipping Meals
When you go too long between meals, it leads to a lack of saliva in your mouth. Without the cleaning action of saliva in your mouth, bacteria have a chance to give off unpleasant odors that will give you bad breath.
There are many oral health concerns that can cause bad breath, and any sudden change in your breath should be taken seriously as a potential symptom of a larger issue. Fortunately, all of these conditions are easily treated by Dr. Attar and his Libertyville dental team. Give our Attar Dental team a call today to schedule your next cleaning and examination!
