Bad breath, also known as halitosis affects many people. It can be described as an offensive or foul as well as distracting. Foul breath odor results from a variety of causes such as poor oral hygiene, dental or oral infections or the ingestion of certain foods. Despite how little everyone enjoys it, halitosis is caused by relatively normal habits and has accessible treatments.

There are some obvious causes of bad breath and its important to be aware of them for your oral health.

Most of the time, bad breath doesn’t just pop out of nowhere; it occurs from life choices. Unsurprisingly, one of the top causes is food, particularly garlic and onions. Even if you brush your teeth after eating, the food enters your bloodstream and lungs, which results in oral odor. There are many health benefits to eating these foods so just know that unsavory breath is par for the course! Another obvious cause is poor dental care and plaque buildup, which happens if you don’t brush and floss. Poor oral health habits such as these can lead to a mouth full of problems, not just bad breath. There are also not-so-obvious causes like infections, dry mouth, and medications. Although we can’t always avoid causes, we can still treat bad breath.

The good news is that bad breath in most cases is treatable. You saw this coming, but we can’t stress it enough, and neither can the American Dental Association. The ADA says to brush and floss your teeth twice a day, preferably with fluoride toothpaste. While brushing your teeth, be sure to scrub your tongue as well since bacteria gravitates toward that part of the mouth. If the problem comes from lack of salivation, then chew gum or candy to activate saliva production. To prevent cavities, be sure to purchase a sugar-free variety. These are common remedies suggested not only by the ADA, but also by other medical associations as well as your dentist.

Johns Hopkins Medicine advises readers to brush and floss regularly. Like the ADA, they also say to brush the tongue, but also the teeth and roof of the mouth. The website tells readers that if they smoke they should stop, since tooth damage is only one of many health problems cigarettes cause. Regardless of whether viewers use tobacco products, they should still schedule regular dental checkups to keep their oral health in check.

Bad breath is an unfortunately common part of life, but it can be less common with just a little work. This work is simple as brushing and flossing twice a day, something doctors and dentists encourage. Even if you need to spend extra time or money on mouthwash or sugar free items, they will not cost anywhere near half as much as dental implants or other dental treatments, which are commonly needed after years of poor oral hygiene!

Dr. Sedki and his staff at Sedki Dentistry want you to enjoy life with a healthy mouth and smile. Regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings are highly recommended and routine for good dental health. Call Sedki Dentistry in Commerce Twp today and schedule a checkup!