What To Do If You Have Bad Breath

Submitted by Dr. Samir Ayoub on January 3, 2020 - 9:00 am

Halitosis, or bad breath, is extremely common. According to the American Dental Association, studies show 50 percent of adults have suffered from bad breath at one time or another.

Though unpleasant, bad breath is very treatable. Sometimes improving your breath is easier than you think. Read on as Dr. Samir Ayoub suggests what to do if you have bad breath.

Revisit Your Oral Hygiene Habits

If your breath is less than fresh, the first thing to do is evaluate your oral hygiene habits. Not brushing and flossing regularly leaves food particles and bacteria in your mouth, which can turn your breath sour.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you brushing your teeth for at least two minutes, twice a day?
• Do you floss daily in between your teeth and along your gumline?
• Are you brushing your tongue, where bacteria like to accumulate?

Depending on your answers, you might need to pay more attention to your brushing and flossing routine.

Scrape Your Tongue

Speaking of brushing your tongue, if it is too uncomfortable to brush with your toothbrush, you can try a tongue scraper. This tool, which is available in most drugstores, cleans the surface of the tongue. Many cases of bad breath are due to debris getting stuck in the nooks and crannies of the tongue.

Clean Your Dentures

If you wear removable dentures, make sure you take them out at night and completely clean them before putting them in again. Food particles can easily get trapped in the dentures and contribute to odor.

Evaluate Your Diet

Perhaps your bad breath is triggered by certain foods in your diet. Avoid common offenders like garlic and onions. Snack on crispy fresh fruits and vegetables like carrots, celery and apples. And make sure you drink plenty of water, which helps to wash away food particles and bacteria.

Chew Sugarless Gum

Chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva in your mouth, which naturally washes away food particles and acid. Just make sure the gum is sugar-free!

Help Is Available With Dr. Ayoub

If these simple tweaks don’t improve bad breath, help is available with Dr. Ayoub.

First, the dentist will perform an evaluation to check for any underlying dental problems that could be contributing to chronic bad breath. If he feels your bad breath could be due to a medical condition, he will refer you to see your primary doctor or a specialist.

After ruling out any serious causes, Dr. Ayoub can discuss available treatment solutions to freshen your breath. To request an appointment with Dr. Ayoub, please contact San Francisco Aesthetic Dentistry today.