How can you cure bad breath? Bad Breath is an embarrassing, but common problem. If you suffer from bad breath, our dental specialists at Grand Dental Group are happy to provide you with tips to help! Halitosis, or foul breath, can be caused by several factors. Eliminating or reducing the cause of this odor can greatly improve your self-esteem and confidence, not to mention your social life! Consider these tips to cure your bad breath for good:

• Watch what you eat and drink! Some of our favorite foods and drinks are guilty of causing terrible breath issues. Garlic, curry, and coffee are big culprits. Moreover, foods that cause belching, gas, and acid reflux can also contribute. Carbonated drinks such as pop, soda, beer, and fried and spicy foods leave us with less than stellar breath. Reducing consumption of these foods will help residual halitosis.
• Freshen up! It almost goes without saying that brushing your teeth regularly, flossing daily, and using mouth wash when needed will help as well. Practicing excellent oral hygiene will remove odor-causing bacteria and food debris that gets caught in your teeth. Also, don’t forget to brush your tongue to remove hidden build up. For times when brushing and flossing are not possible, carry flosser picks, sugar free gum, and sugar free mints for those quick touch ups on the go.
• Visit your dentist! Many malodors can be traced back to dental problems. Broken fillings, cracked teeth, and dental decay or cavities can all harbor bacteria or food. Restoring your teeth with quality dental work can improve your breath. If you notice chronic bad breath, your dentist can perform a thorough examination to determine if any obvious dental conditions are contributing to your halitosis. In addition to tooth problems, gum disease or periodontal disease is also notorious for causing bad breath. Periodontal disease is a painless condition caused by bacterial growth and often leads to embarrassing oral odor. Gum disease is treated by dental hygienists and periodontists (gum specialists). Controlling and treating gum disease greatly diminishes bad breath.
• Visit your ENT! If a dentist determines that your halitosis is not caused by gum or tooth problems, then a visit to an otolaryngologist or ear, nose, and throat doctor would be appropriate. Some medical disorders cause bad breath. GERD, or chronic acid reflux, tonsiliths or tonsil stones, post-nasal drip, among other medical conditions are likely odor-causing candidates. GERD is commonly underdiagnosed and most patients don’t realize that their halitosis is a sign of a systemic medical problem. Your doctor may perform a visual exam or an endoscopy to evaluate the health of your oral cavity and esophagus. Medications and lifestyle changes can often alleviate mouth odor.

Regardless of what is causing your bad breath, there most certainly are options for treating or eliminating the source. Patients do not need to live with bad breath or mask it. It isn’t just a nuisance or a cosmetic issue. Underlying dental and medical problems can be causing your halitosis. Changing your diet, keeping your mouth clean, and visiting your dentist and medical doctor can help you fight bad breath for good!

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