Ending embarrassment: Bad breath

Key Takeaways:

• Bad breath can be caused by a variety of oral and systemic factors.
• Proper brushing and flossing and regular dental check-ups can help keep teeth and gums healthy, which improves the breath.
• Electric toothbrushes are slightly more effective than manual toothbrushes.
• If you’re practicing good oral hygiene habits and still experiencing bad breath, talk to your provider.

We all know someone who seems to have perpetually bad breath. And, without fail, that person tends to be a close talker.

The good news is there are easy steps you can take to make sure you’re not the person people avoid talking to because of stinky breath.

In this blog, we’re going to talk about the causes, treatment, and prevention of bad breath.

What causes bad breath?

Bad breath can be caused by the naturally occurring bacteria in your mouth breaking down the food particles that are left behind. And sometimes that can create a smell. 

But bad breath can also be caused by periodontal disease, tooth infection, tooth decay, or dry mouth. Sometimes, if there’s more of a systemic issue, maybe something in the gastrointestinal tract, that can cause bad breath.

There’s a variety of factors that can lead to it.

How can I treat it?

Make sure you have really good oral hygiene at home, including cleaning the tongue. We also need to keep up with routine checkups every three-to-six months depending on the patient’s needs. Having a professional cleaning can make a big difference when fighting bad breath.

How can I prevent it?

Bad breath can be avoided by good oral hygiene, so brushing and flossing daily and by maintaining those routine appointments with our dental hygienist. That will remove the plaque and calculus, which will result in you having nice, healthy, fresh-smelling breath.

Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual toothbrush in terms of preventing bad breath?

Absolutely. An electric toothbrush is more effective than a manual toothbrush in the sense of it’s really hard to do like the perfect small circles everywhere for exactly two minutes. 

It’s doable, but it just takes a lot more awareness from the patient. And so, the electrical toothbrush is just doing the work for you.

They even have toothbrushes nowadays that will buzz or turn red if you’re pushing too hard, and they have a timer. You just have to put the fluoridated toothpaste on the toothbrush, put it in your mouth, and it does the work for you. 

Both can be effective, but the electric toothbrush is just a little bit easier.

When should I talk to my dentist about my bad breath?

You need to see your dentist if you start to notice that you have bad breath even if you’re keeping your teeth really clean.

If you’re brushing and flossing regularly, but you’re still having that smell, then it could be an early sign of periodontal disease, where you need to have special cleaning done by the dentist or the dental hygienist, or maybe you have a tooth infection. 

WVU Dental can help

Searching for the best oral healthcare provider to maintain your smile or save your smile shouldn't require jumping from practice to practice. At WVU Dental, patients have access to comprehensive general dentistry and specialized treatment through one oral healthcare system. For more information, visit WVUDentalCare.org.