I have bad breath

Question:

I am suffering from bad breath for long time. Please give me suggestions.  Thank.

Answer:

Bad breath can come from many sources.  For starters, it comes from poor oral hygiene.  If you fail to brush after each meal and floss at least once a day, bacteria will begin to accumulate in your mouth, especially in those hard to reach areas.  This can include between the teeth or even on the back of the tongue.  Bacteria give off by-products that leave a stench.  Therefore the more bacteria you have in your mouth, the higher of a chance for bad breath.

Another reason could stem from your diet.  If you have a diet that’s low in carbohydrates, you are more likely to have bad breath.  Having a balanced diet that contains plenty of water is essential to great breath.

Some cures to bad breath include

• Occasionally chewing on sugar-free gum, that preferably contains Xylitol (see our article here), throughout the day
• Occasionally consuming sugar free mints throughout the day to stimulate salivary flow, thus cleansing the mouth of bacteria
• Maintaining good oral health (see our articles on Brushing and Flossing)
• Be sure to clean the tongue daily, with either a tongue scraper or the bristles of your toothbrush.

Hope these tips help out and good luck,

SaveMySmile Team

Does flossing reduce bad breath?

Question:

Does flossing reduce bad breath?

Answer:

Yes it definitely plays a role in reducing bad breath.  Bad breath can be caused by a number of factors.  Some of these factors include decay in a tooth, bacteria or food debris trapped under the gum line or between teeth, plaque or calculus (tartar) accumulations, bacteria located on the tongue, bad oral hygiene habits, etc.  Flossing definitely needs to be incorporated into a daily routine, in addition to brushing after each meal, to better fight bad breath.  If you practice great oral hygiene habits and don’t have any decayed teeth or plaque, and yet still experience bad breath, maybe you should visit your dentist.  He/she may be able to identify a possible cause that could have been overlooked.

Good luck!

Signs of Gingivitis

Gum disease, known as gingivitis (or it’s more severe form, periodontitis), refers to the inflammation of the gums (gingiva).  It results from accumulation of bacteria near the gum line, causing bacterial invasion into the tissues of the body.  If not addressed and treated, gingivitis will lead to recession of the gums, bone loss, tooth loss, and systemic disease.

Signs of Gingivitis

• Swollen gums
• Bleeding gums (especially when brushing or flossing)
• Shiny or red gums
• Associated pain
• Bad breath or foul smelling gums
• Gum recession (teeth appear longer)

Causes of Gingivitis

• Most often caused by plaque accumulation and poor oral hygiene habits
• Hormonal changes (i.e. pregnancy)
• Certain medications that may suppress the immune system

Gingivitis is a mild form of inflammation.  Unlike it’s more serious form, periodontitis, gingivitis can be treated quickly and easily if addressed in a timely fashion.

Treatment for Gingivitis

• Improve oral hygiene habits – Brush after each meal and floss every day.  If this regimen is followed precisely, the bleeding will eventually stop.
• Incorporate a mouth rinse, preferably with chlorohexidine, into your daily routine.  This can assist with the removal of unwanted bacteria.
• Visit the dentist and get a cleaning – The dentist will be able to effectively remove plaque and calculus, the main causes of gingivitis.  However, it’s up to you to maintain the plaque free mouth after this point.
• Antibiotics – If serious, the dentist may prescribe antibiotics to control the bacterial invasion.

All in all, gingivitis can easily be managed if addressed early.  Take the right steps in keeping up with your oral hygiene to maintain a healthy smile.

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