If you are battling bad breath, our Toluca Lake dentists are here to help you win the fight. While occasional and temporary bad breath is unavoidable, chronic halitosis is a deeper problem that needs to be addressed.
Chronic bad breath develops due to oral bacteria in the mouth. As oral bacteria grow and multiply, they release unpleasant odors as a byproduct. So, in order to conquer chronic bad breath, you really need to get a handle on oral bacteria. Here are a few simple things that you can do to improve the efficacy of your routine:
Keep water handy
Drinking plenty of water during the day is paramount when dealing with bad breath. You want to make sure that your body is able to produce enough saliva, as this is your body’s natural way of neutralizing bacteria. Patients who suffer from dry mouth are much more likely than those who do not to develop halitosis.
Rinse your smile regularly
Get into the habit of vigorously rinsing your mouth with water or a specially-formulated rinse after eating or drinking anything other than water. This helps to dislodge dental debris and bacteria, while simultaneously jump-starting the release of saliva.
Fine-tune your schedule
Keep in mind that oral bacteria remain active—feeding, growing, and multiplying—for about 20 to 30 minutes after you finish eating or drinking sugary beverages. To minimize the amount of time that bacteria is able to stay active, you want to eat and drink at specific times during the day, rather than continuously snacking and sipping.
If you have underlying oral infections—like periodontal disease or cavities—you will need to treat these oral health issues before you can beat bad breath for good. Our Toluca Lake dentists are here to answer any additional questions that you may have, and to help you build a personalized treatment plan for bad breath. Give us a call to get started!