Dealing with bad breath can be embarrassing and affect your confidence around others. Bad breath often occurs when bacteria release volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) in the throat and on the tongue. These bacteria break down proteins that create VSCs. In turn, this produces a foul odor that creates bad breath. Sometimes, brushing and flossing can remove bad breath. Other times, you must call our dentist’s office in Virginia Beach, VA, to treat halitosis.
Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath. Treating halitosis in our office can improve your oral health and confidence in your smile.
Why Do I Have Bad Breath?
There may be multiple reasons why you have temporary or chronic bad breath. Some of the most common causes of bad breath include:
Food
What you eat can cause temporary bad breath. Onions, garlic, and other foul-smelling foods can make your breath smell. In most cases, drinking water or eating mints can help wash away these smells.
Alcohol can also cause dry mouth. Dry mouth happens when you do not have enough saliva to keep the inside of your mouth wet. Saliva is essential to a healthy mouth because it helps wash away food debris and odor-causing bacteria. As a result, you have better-smelling breath. While drinking more water can help treat dry mouth, avoiding alcohol and other foods or drinks that cause dry mouth can help.
Medical Conditions
Medical issues can lead to bad breath, including diabetes, GERD, and postnasal drip. Diabetes can increase the risk of developing gum disease. If you have diabetes and have high blood sugar, you’re more likely to have higher sugar levels in your saliva. This attracts the harmful bacteria that lead to gum disease and bad breath.
GERD occurs when stomach contents flow back up to the esophagus. These contents create bad odors in the mouth. Problems like postnasal drip can increase mucus in the throat, affecting your breath. Related respiratory problems like bronchitis or sinusitis can temporarily create bad breath.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Food debris can get stuck between your teeth without brushing and flossing thoroughly. Leftover food attracts harmful bacteria. Tooth and gum infections occur when harmful bacteria feed on leftover sugars and starches in the mouth. These bacteria break down the teeth and gums over time.
You can develop halitosis when you develop tooth decay or gum disease. This occurs as the bacteria break down food debris in the mouth. Bacteria can also collect on your tongue. Failing to clean your mouth thoroughly can increase the chance of bad breath.
Treating Halitosis in Virginia Beach, VA
Sometimes, professional dental cleanings are enough to help keep bad breath in check. During professional cleanings, we remove plaque, a bacterial film that forms on the teeth and gums. Our hygienists can also remove tartar, or hardened plaque, from around teeth. Only a hygienist can remove tartar.
Cleanings can help freshen your breath and reduce the risk of tooth and gum infection. We will refer you to a local specialist if you have severe signs of tooth decay or gum disease. If you have bad breath due to a medical condition, a doctor can help treat your medical issue to relieve halitosis. Additionally, if you’re a smoker, quitting smoking with the help of a doctor can help treat bad breath.
Treating Bad Breath At Home
Aside from routine cleanings to treat halitosis in our Virginia Beach, VA office, at-home care can help keep your breath fresh. Brushing and flossing twice a day helps remove leftover food from your mouth. Before you brush your teeth, floss between each tooth. Flossing will help get food trapped between your teeth. Then, brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
The active ingredients in the toothpaste will reach between the teeth to help reduce harmful bacteria. Then, remember to brush your tongue. Mouthwash is a common part of a good oral hygiene routine. However, we do not recommend mouthwash that contains alcohol. Alcohol mouthwash can increase the risk of dry mouth.
Halitosis FAQs
Learn more about how to cure bad breath with answers to these common questions:
Can drinking more water cure bad breath?
Yes, in some cases, drinking water can minimize bad breath. Hydrating helps wash away food particles and bacteria that create bad breath. Drinking enough water can also help reduce dry mouth, a common cause of halitosis.
Can tonsil stones cause bad breath?
Tonsil stones are hardened minerals and food debris that look like small pebbles. They can create foul-smelling breath if you do not remove food debris trapped in the tonsil folds. As with problems like gum disease and tooth decay, tonsil stones can lead to halitosis.
What is perio breath?
Perio breath refers to symptoms of gum disease that contribute to bad breath. If you develop gum disease, the harmful bacteria that affect your gum health can also create halitosis. Treating gum disease will cure period breath.
Why does tobacco cause bad breath?
Smoking cigarettes, vaping, and using other types of tobacco products can contribute to halitosis. Tobacco products contain chemicals that mix with your saliva. This produces a bad odor, especially if you haven’t recently cleaned your teeth.
Why does my breath smell bad after brushing my teeth?
If your breath still smells bad after brushing and flossing, you may not have cleaned your mouth thoroughly. Floss between each tooth before brushing. Then, brush for two minutes, and remember to brush your tongue. Bacteria can collect on your tongue.
You may also have gum disease or tooth decay. Removing a tooth or gum infection is more difficult with brushing alone. Contact our dentist if you notice swollen or irritated gums, tooth pain, or other common symptoms.
How do I know if I have bad breath because of my stomach?
Acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD can occur from consuming dairy or spicy foods. Stomach acids or gas from your stomach can travel from your stomach to your mouth. One of the most common signs of bad breath from stomach problems is an acid or bad taste in your mouth.
Get Fresher Breath Today
Do you have chronic bad breath? Call Coastal General Dentistry to treat halitosis in Virginia Beach, VA, at 757-216-9914 or make a dental appointment online. Please let us know if you have more questions about treating bad breath.