What Causes Bad Breath and How Do I Treat It?

What Causes Bad Breath and How Do I Treat It?

Almost everyone has dealt with bad breath (halitosis) at some point, with some people struggling day after day to find a solution. If mouthwashes and breath fresheners only provide temporary relief, your trusted team at Kraklow Family Dentistry is here to help. We will create a fully customized treatment plan to eliminate your bad breath and restore your confident smile!

What Are the Causes of Bad Breath?

Here are the most common causes of bad breath:

Poor Dental Hygiene: Most cases of halitosis result from poor oral hygiene. Without regular brushing and flossing, food particles in the mouth promote bacteria growth on the tongue and the gum line, leading to not-so-fresh breath.

Oral Health Problems: Bad breath often results from oral health problems, including dry mouth (xerostomia), periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay, cavities, infections, and sores.

Odor-Causing Foods: Odor-causing foods such as onions and garlic can leave you with bad breath. While mouthwash and toothpaste may provide temporary relief, these foods need to pass through the body to eliminate the odor.

Smoking: The smell of cigarettes can linger on your breath. Smoking can also cause dry mouth and increases the risk of gum disease, two leading causes of bad breath.

Diets Programs: Fasting and low-carb diet programs can leave you with unpleasant breath. That results from fats breaking down and producing chemicals called ketones that cause a strong mouth odor.

Medical Conditions and Medications: Some medical conditions cause bad breath, including acid reflux, respiratory tract infections, postnasal drip, and tonsil stones. Moreover, some medications cause dry mouth, which often leads to bad breath.

Keeping Bad Breath at Bay

Here are some ways you can combat bad breath:

Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene Practices: Make sure you brush and floss regularly. Your tongue can harbor odor-causing bacteria, so don’t forget to brush it as well.

Adjust Your Diet: Limit your consumption of odor-causing foods. That’s one of the easiest ways to promote fresh, confident breath.

Keep Dry Mouth in Check: Make sure you drink plenty of water and limit your consumption of caffeine and alcohol. If your medications are causing your dry mouth, see if your physician can prescribe a substitute. Chewing sugarless gum and sucking on hard candy can help stimulate saliva production and provide dry mouth relief.

Maintain Your Routine Dental Visits: Visiting Kraklow Family Dentistry for your twice-a-year dental exams and cleanings will keep your mouth clean and healthy and will help keep halitosis-causing dental conditions at bay!

Treating Bad Breath

Dr. Donna Kraklow will work with you to determine the underlying causes of your bad breath. If you have gum disease, she may recommend a deep dental cleaning to eliminate any odor-causing bacteria. She may also recommend repairing cavities or replacing faulty restorations, which provide the perfect environment for bacteria to flourish. If a health condition is causing your bad breath, Dr. Kraklow may refer you to your primary care physician for further evaluation.

Bad Breath Treatment Near Me

Visit Kraklow Family Dentistry in Waukesha, WI, to determine the cause of your bad breath. Dr. Kraklow will create a fully customized treatment plan to provide permanent relief. Call 262-547-4433 to schedule your appointment or request one online today!