Have you noticed friends or co-workers stand further away than necessary to talk to you? Do you receive daily offers of gum and mints? If the answer is yes to any of these questions … you probably have bad breath, also called halitosis.
The most common reason people have bad breath is decaying food particles and bacterial growth in the mouth, especially on the tongue. If you have poor oral hygiene habits, the accumulation of food and bacteria will make your breath smell bad. But gum disease and cavities can produce halitosis, and so can systemic illnesses such as diabetes, acid reflux (GERD), and sinus infections.
Keeping a daily oral hygiene routine can go a long way to prevent halitosis. Other measures you can take to prevent halitosis are:
Drink plenty of water. Water loosens and rinses away food particles and also encourages saliva production.
Chew sugar-free or gum sweetened with Xylitol. Chewing also encourages saliva production, and minty flavors help freshen breath.
Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash. Your dental professional may have suggestions for the best over-the-counter mouthwashes and may also give you a prescription oral rinse.
Use a tongue scraper. These devices are designed to remove the bacteria and food debris that cling to your tongue’s surface.
Invest in an electric toothbrush. Studies have shown that electric toothbrushes are better at removing plaque, and since most of them are designed to turn off after a specified time, people tend to brush for a longer period.
Go to your regular checkups. Attending your regular exams with both your dentist and your medical doctor ensures your health issues will be addressed at their earliest appearance.
Call Tyngsboro dentist Dr. James Yankowskas for a consultation at 978-649-7773. Also, visit our website at tyngsborocosmeticdentist.com.
Dr. Yankowskas proudly accepts patients from Tyngsboro and all surrounding areas.
When we become new parents, we try to get all the helpful tips we can to make sure we are great parents and our little ones are healthy and happy. But one version of healthy we often forget as parents is dental health. After all, they lose their first set of teeth – why bother with dental health? Well, good dental habits need start early. That’s why it’s important to start your children down the path of good oral care to avoid problems in the future.