3 Ways to Nuke Bad Breath

Bad breath hits everyone sometime.  And the bad part is that we don't normally smell our own bad breath:  someone needs to tell us, and you know that doesn't happen very often!  Understanding why we get bad breath can help us know how to beat it.  There are three common causes of bad breath:  bacteria, dry mouth, and our tonsils.  Each cause has something you can do to get rid of it.


1.  Bacteria

We all have bacteria in our mouths, and if you keep your mouth sufficiently clean, you shouldn't have a problem with stinky bacteria.  And how do you beat bacteria?  Start with regular professional cleanings.  At a professional cleaning, the deeper bacteria is cleaned out.  If you have bad breath and haven't had a professional cleaning in a while, set up an appointment soon, and you'll see how much it improves your breath.

2.  Dry Mouth

We all have a dry mouth at night or whenever we sleep, so we wake up to the dreaded "morning breath".  Other things cause our mouths to be dry, like certain medications and dehydration.  If you feel that you don't have enough saliva, then you should see your dentist about solving that problem because you could be at extreme risk of cavities and gum disease.  If you have normal saliva during the day, but wake up to morning breath, then make sure you brush, floss, and use mouthwash at night.  This can mean a lot less smelly breath in the morning.

3.  Our Tonsils

Every time we eat anything, small amounts of it get trapped in our tonsils, where our bodies test out the food for bacteria and viruses.  Our immune system gets ready to fight anything we unknowingly eat or drink.  Unfortunately, this also means that smellier foods like garlic, onions, and some cheeses are sitting in the crypts of our tonsils for long periods of time, giving us bad breath.  Of course you could completely avoid these foods, but that's a bummer.  Gargling some mouthrinse can help dislodge the food particles giving you bad breath.  Do this especially before bed because if the food particles are allowed to sit overnight in your tonsils, the smell is harder to remove.  Other things can help, like staying hydrated with lots of water.

Knowing these three most common causes, you can prevent bad breath, also called halitosis.  If you have any questions about how these things can help you, or if you've tried them and they didn't work, contact your dentist and see if you have a more rare cause of halitosis.  We can help you get rid of your bad breath.  Call or email us today!