Do you wake up in the morning with foul breath only to discover that after brushing and flossing … you still have bad breath? Are you avoiding the strong smelling foods that can lead to a not-so-fresh-smelling mouth (such as garlic or onions) only to find that even this attempt does not rid your mouth of its unpleasant scent? If so, there are a couple common reasons that you may be having such a hard time addressing your halitosis. Consider common issues related to preventive care that might help you achieve fresh breath.
Reason #1: You’re Not Brushing Well Enough
Are you quite certain you’re doing a great job with your preventive care because you’re brushing and flossing every day? It’s not quite that simple if you want to fully avoid problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and even bad breath. Here’s what you need to do to make sure you’re brushing well enough and flossing consistently:
- Brush your teeth two times a day – don’t skip a brushing session
- Brush all the surfaces of your teeth (make sure you have a toothbrush that you can comfortably maneuver throughout your whole mouth)
- Brush the surface of your tongue
- Floss daily
Reason #2: Your Mouth Is Dry
This sounds like it could not possibly be the culprit behind your bad breath, but a dry mouth is actually quite a problem. Commonly the result of taking medications with dry mouth as a side effect, of “mouth breathing” due to congestion, or other issues – this provides an ideal environment for the bad bacteria in your mouth to freely multiply. You see, when saliva is flowing, it rinses the bacteria away, so they do not build up and release their foul odors in droves. You may address the underlying issue (such as congestion) or attempt to keep your mouth moist by drinking more water. If common remedies do not suffice, contact us for a preventive care visit.
