Bad breath is one of the most common dental problems that can cause embarrassment. Now, there’s a difference between temporary bad breath and bad breath that seems to last forever. For example, you may experience bad breath after your morning cup of coffee. But after brushing your teeth it can dissipate on its own. When you have bad breath that doesn’t seem to go away, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist in McMinnville as it may be a sign of something more serious.
The Bad Part About Bad Breath
Bad breath that goes away is usually nothing to be concerned about. However, bad breath that seems to linger over time can be a sign of several problems. Most commonly, chronic bad breath is a sign of gum disease. Gum disease is a serious health condition that can not only affect your teeth and your gums but also the rest of your body. Gum disease has been linked to some serious whole-body issues including heart disease, respiratory problems, and increased risk for stroke. Now, if caught early, gum disease (and bad breath) can be treated. However, if you wait too long, the disease can’t be reversed, only managed. Untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss and other oral health problems. This is why it is so important to see your dentist in McMinnville quickly if you have bad breath that doesn’t disappear on its own.
How to Fix Bad Breath
If bad breath is caused by a buildup of bacteria, the good news is there are a few ways to treat it so you don’t have to live with it forever.
- Proper Oral Hygiene. Since bad breath can be caused by too much bacteria, one of the best ways to treat it and prevent it is to practice proper oral hygiene to remove bacteria from the mouth. This means that you need to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. Both are important as brushing alone can miss the tricky spots in between teeth. Flossing helps remove bacteria that have wiggled their way into those tight, hard-to-reach areas.
- Drink Water. Staying hydrated is beneficial for both oral health and whole-body health. Many medical professionals, including your dentist in McMinnville, recommend drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day. A well-hydrated mouth will help ward off bad breath-causing bacteria and neutralize acids that can wear away at tooth enamel.
- See Your Dentist. Even if you’re not experiencing bad breath currently, seeing your dentist in McMinnville at least every six months can help bad breath from occurring in the first place. During these visits, your dental hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth, ridding them of bacteria as well as any plaque buildup. Plaque can cause gum disease, and in turn, bad breath. Scheduling an appointment with your dentist if you are experiencing bad breath is even more important. Bad breath that doesn’t go away is usually a sign that something is going on and it’s important to get it checked out right away.
Nobody wants the embarrassment that tends to go along with bad breath, and nobody wants to experience the potential problems it can cause either. Don’t take bad breath lightly and schedule an appointment with your dentist today.
Dr. Amy Wark completed her one-year general dentistry residency while serving in the Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. Her residency allowed her to learn specialized surgical procedures involving extractions and gingival health. Dr. Wark spent the rest of her military career stationed in England and returned home to join and take over her father's practice.
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