Bad breath can be a deeply frustrating and embarrassing condition to live with. If nothing you do ever seems to eliminate your bad breath, why not schedule an appointment with your dentist? Here are a few ways in which a dentist can help you to beat bad breath.
1. Improving Your Brushing Technique
Almost everyone brushes their teeth, but relatively few people use a perfect technique. Your dentist can help you to give your brushing style a tune-up by demonstrating the perfect angle at which to hold the brush and how to move it over each tooth. This ensures you do not miss any parts of your mouth. They can also recommend a toothbrush model and toothpaste that will help eliminate your bad breath.
2. Making Flossing Easier
Flossing is an essential part of the fight against bad breath, but many people struggle to use string floss, either because their teeth are too tightly packed or because they have dental work that is difficult to floss around. Thankfully, there are many other tools that you can use to get a good interdental clean. Your dentist can recommend ones that might be suitable for you, such as a water flosser or interdental brush.
3. Treating Gum Disease
Bad breath is often a symptom of gum disease, which is a serious oral health condition and you must not delay treatment. Gum disease, if left unchecked, can lead to tooth loss. The bacteria that cause gum disease can even spread to other parts of the body, causing more serious health problems. Your dentist can provide treatment to stop the spread of gum disease, such as removing tartar through a professional cleaning. To prevent gum disease from returning, you will need to practice very good oral hygiene and maintain regular dental check-ups.
4. Prescribing Medicated Mouth Rinses
Using mouthwash can be a good way to freshen your breath, but the effects often wear off quickly. Dentists can prescribe mouth rinses that not only smell great but also contain ingredients that kill bacteria and boost your body's natural saliva production. These mouth rinses make your mouth a healthier environment, which means it is less likely to contribute to bad breath. For best results, use your medicated mouth rinse after meals. That way, the action of rinsing can remove traces of food that could otherwise leave a lingering bad odour.
Contact a dentist for more information.
