Nobody wants to be known as a person with foul breath. If the situation is bad enough, it can lower your self-confidence and even negatively affect your relationships with other people. Both of those are things we definitely don’t wish for you! It’s important to know that chronic bad breath, which is formally called halitosis, doesn’t only come from eating stinky foods. There are other common causes too, which means there are a variety of things you can try to remedy your situation. Here are some tips for dealing with halitosis:
- Brush & Floss Every Day
This tip might seem self-explanatory, but it’s an important one! A common cause of bad breath is bacteria left in your mouth. With brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day, you can keep your teeth and gums fresh, rather than allow the accumulation of food debris, which encourages a breeding ground for halitosis-causing bacteria.
- Take Care of Your Tongue
You know that your teeth and gums need regularly cleaning, but did you know that you should take care of your tongue too? Your tongue can be home to bad bacteria as well. During your daily brushing routine, give the surface of your tongue a good brushing, or you can use a tongue scraper.
- Address Dry Mouth
When you have proper saliva flow and are drinking enough water, it helps to wash away bacteria and food particles that can cause halitosis. Make sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day, and quit and avoid the use of tobacco. Additionally, chew sugarless gum for at least 20 minutes after meals to stimulate more saliva flow. If you need more help managing your dry mouth, contact us for information about a lubricating mouth rinse or saliva-substitute.
- Check Your Medical Conditions
There are a few different medical conditions that can have an effect on how your breath smells, including diabetes and respiratory tract infections. There are also certain medications that could result in bad breath. Consult your doctor to see what your options are.
Dealing with halitosis and want to discuss your situation with a professional? Contact Embrace Dental Care today, and we’ll be happy to help!
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If you’ve just had oral surgery, you may be wondering how you should recover after the procedure. Here, we’ll give you some tips on how to care for your teeth after dental surgery.
- Take It Easy
One of the most important things to do for your teeth and your body is to take it easy so yourself time to heal. Particularly in the 24-48 hours after surgery, don’t perform any strenuous physical activity, drive a car, or operate machinery. Instead, stay home and rest in bed or on the couch with your head propped up by pillows. This will reduce any bleeding or swelling.
- Ice Your Mouth
After dental surgery your face may swell or bruise. While this is completely normal, you can apply ice to your face and jaw to help the swelling go down. For the first 24 hours after the surgery, place ice packs against your face for 15 minutes and then remove for another 15 minutes. Repeat this process as needed.
- Be Careful of What You Eat
While you may be ready to chow down on a hamburger after surgery, your mouth and teeth won’t. For the next few days after the surgery, choose soft foods and liquids such as pureed soup, yogurt, smoothies, applesauce, cream of wheat, and oatmeal. Just make sure nothing is too hot or too cold. If possible, opt for foods that are high in vitamins A and C–which will aid the healing process–such as mashed sweet potatoes and stewed carrots. Additionally, avoid alcohol and anything spicy, don’t drink from any straws, and stay away from any and all tobacco products.
- Brush Carefully
After surgery, you’ll need to continue to brush your teeth, but be sure to be very gentle around the affected area. You don’t want to cause any further irritation.
- Keep Your Mouth Clean
Avoid rinsing for 24 hours after the procedure. But then, to help keep the surgical site clean, gently rinse with warm salt water a few times a day. This rinse gently removes any bits of food stuck around the affected area that could lead to tooth decay or infection.
- Follow Your Dentist’s Orders
It is vital that you follow the instructions of your dental surgeon. Follow all their post-operative care instructions and only take any prescriptions in the correct doses. By following their recommendations, you can avoid infection and promote a smooth recovery.
More Questions? Ask Us!
If you have any other questions about caring for your teeth after dental surgery, contact us today.
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Is chronic bad breath keeping you from smiling, laughing, and talking for fear of embarrassment? Here at Embrace Dental Care in Florence, KY, we don’t want halitosis (bad breath) to hold you back. Here are some pointers for combatting this pesky issue so you can enjoy the benefits of fresh breath!
- Pinpoint Its Cause
Because there are a variety of factors that can contribute to halitosis, the first step to battling bad breath is to figure out where it’s coming from. Pinpointing the cause will help you figure out the best way to prevent it. For some, bad breath may be a result of not brushing or flossing properly, tobacco use, or gum disease. For others, bad breath is due to genetics or a medication they’re taking. If this is the case, we recommend talking to your primary care physician.
- Maintain a Proper Oral Hygiene Regimen
Plaque and tartar buildup can cause some pretty stinky breath. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), you should gently brush your teeth two times a day for two minutes each and floss at least once a day. If you’re still struggling with bad breath, we recommend that you do both a little more often. However, do not brush your teeth harder, as excessive pressure will wear down your enamel. Consider investing in an electric toothbrush if you have trouble applying the right amount of pressure with a manual toothbrush. Furthermore, be sure to scrape your tongue with your toothbrush to remove the coating of bacteria that usually forms throughout the day and while you sleep. You may be surprised at how much cleaning your tongue can help with any unwelcome mouth odors!
- Rinse Your Mouth & Avoid Sugary Mints
One of the best ways to minimize bad breath is to rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after you eat. In addition, instead of reaching for a peppermint after your meal, chew sugar-free gum with xylitol. Despite their great smell and flavor, mints are often filled to the brim with sugar. This sugar will be eaten by your mouth’s bacteria, which will then produce acids that contribute to bad breath and tooth decay. In contrast, not only does the xylitol in sugarless gum help combat cavities, but the act of chewing gum also stimulates saliva production, which is a great natural defense against bad breath and decay.
- Limit Certain Foods & Drinks
While you may think you can just brush away the smell of food after you eat it, that is actually not the case. Certain foods and drinks such as onions, garlic, tuna, alcohol, and coffee actually enter your bloodstream and travel to your lungs, causing you to breathe out unpleasant odors. You don’t have to give up the foods and drinks you love, but we do recommend steering clear of them if you know you are going to be talking a lot, meeting up with a first date, or in close proximity to other people.
Our Team Is Here to Help!
We hope these tips help you curb any frustrating bad breath. If you have more questions about halitosis or if you’re unsure of the cause of your bad breath, please contact our office to schedule a consultation with our friendly team here at Embrace Dental Care.
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