Understanding Bad Breath and How to Fix It
Hi, my name's Alaina. I'm the dental hygienist at South Fork Dentistry. We've been getting a lot of questions recently about bad breath. I'm just going to clear up some of the confusion today.
What is bad breath, and how would you describe it in everyday terms?
Bad breath is the smell you might notice. Sometimes people might even mention to you, "Hey, did you brush this morning? Your breath is smelling a little stinky." Bad breath can be food caught between your teeth or something more significant that requires a dental professional's help.
What are the most common causes of bad breath?
Bad breath can be caused by food, cavities, or gum disease. Sometimes it can be bacteria trapped in your mouth that you can't remove on your own.
What's this thing called halitosis and how is it different from just having occasional bad breath?
Good question. Halitosis is the fancy dental term for persistent bad breath. The difference between halitosis and bad breath is that halitosis is a dental diagnosis for chronic bad breath.
Can cavities or tooth decay cause bad breath?
Of course. Bacteria cause cavities, so cavities can lead to bad breath.
What about wisdom teeth? Can they be part of the problem?
If you're getting food and bacteria trapped around your wisdom teeth, they can also cause bad breath.
Is it normal to have bad breath after getting a tooth pulled?
Yes. Sometimes after you get your teeth pulled, your mouth is trying to heal. There can be a bacteria colony that lingers, but it should go away after the tooth heals.
What are some signs that bad breath might be a regular issue and not just an occasional thing?
If a family member or loved one is constantly telling you, "Hey, your breath stinks a little bit," that could be a sign it's a chronic problem, and you might need to visit the dentist.
What kind of treatments can help with bad breath?
There are many. A deep cleaning can help if you have cavities that need filling or impacted wisdom teeth. Recommendations of products by your dental hygienist or dentist can help. Sometimes curing dry mouth can also help.
Any favorite mouthwashes or toothpaste you recommend?
Of course. Any mouthwash that helps with dry mouth is good, or at your next visit, we can recommend a few of our favorite products to help.
Are there any home remedies that work?
Of course. Simply drinking water and addressing dry mouth can help, as well as tongue scraping or brushing your tongue.
How can someone tell if they had bad breath?
The simple lick your wrist trick can help, but also if you floss your teeth and then smell the floss, and it doesn't smell good, that's a sign you have bad breath.
Can bad breath ever be gone for good?
Yes. Once you maintain a healthy mouth and have regular dental visits, bad breath shouldn't be a problem.
If you live in or near Purcellville, VA, and are looking for dental care, contact us at (540) 778-9606 to set an appointment. Our staff would love to talk with you!