If you suffer from a medical condition in which foul odors continue to emanate out of your mouth, you have what is known as halitosis. Halitosis, also known as bad breath, often arises due to underlying issues within your mouth or in your body. It can be caused by numerous sources including poor dental health habits, the foods you eat, infections that are present in your body and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. To help properly treat bad breath, it is first important to determine the exact cause of your bad breath and make the adjustments necessary
Although mouthwash is often linked to treating bad breath, it is important to make sure you are using the right kind of mouthwash. Whereas cosmetic mouthwashes are designed to only mask your bad breath by simply freshening your breath, you will need therapeutic mouthwash in order to effectively kill any bacteria that may be leading to the foul odors.
Your oral hygiene routines are essential for keeping your mouth fresh and clear of bacteria that cause mouthwash. This includes brushing twice daily and flossing once daily with safe and highly effective tools. As a general reminder, also remember to always clean your tongue as it can harbor bacteria that produce bad breath. Use either a toothbrush or tongue scraper to clean the back of your tongue.
If you have dentures, make sure you clean them as well. Ideally, you should remove them every night and soak them in a denture-cleaning solution to ensure that any germs and contamination are removed. Also, quit any bad habits you may have, including smoking or chewing tobacco.
Premier Dental Care wants to help you with preventing and treating bad breath. To schedule an appointment at our office in Indianapolis, Indiana, please call us at 317-787-6625. Dr. Marla Wilson and our team look forward to hearing from you soon!