Halitosis, or foul-smelling breath, is usually caused by the breakdown of food. Other causes are poor dental hygiene, dry mouth, disease, infection, tobacco use and severe dieting.
What You Can Do
Keep bad breath away with good dental hygiene. This includes brushing twice a day and flossing daily, and using a toothbrush or tongue scraper to clean your tongue. Take out removable dentures every night and clean them thoroughly. To get more saliva moving in your mouth, try eating healthy foods that require a lot of chewing, chewing sugar-free gum, or sucking on sugar-free candies. If your saliva refuses to flow, your dentist may recommend artificial saliva. Tobacco products tend to reduce the flow of saliva and can lead to gum disease and rotting gums and teeth. If you are a smoker, take the necessary steps to quit smoking. You will have better breath and a better quality of life.
Finally, visit your dentist regularly. If you’re concerned about your bad breath, make an appointment. Regular checkups allow us to detect problems such as gum disease or dry mouth and stop them before they become more serious. If we find that your mouth is healthy, we may refer you to your primary care doctor for more information.
Dentist in Round Rock, TX
Our dentists and staff are caring, dedicated professionals, and we are here to help you with your needs. Call (512) 957-8689 today to make an appointment!