When to See a Dentist About Your Bad Breath

Do your co-workers back away when you speak? Do you rely on mints and chewing gum to remedy your breath throughout the day? While bad breath is normal and expected in certain circumstances, it can also be a warning sign that your oral health needs attention. It is important to pay attention to foul breath odor and realize when it is time to see a dentist.

What is Normal?

Bad breath, or halitosis, can be a natural response to certain factors, such as strong foods like onions or garlic or when you’ve been sick and have post-nasal drip. Bad breath is also common when you first wake up in the mornings. Morning breath occurs because your body produces less saliva while you sleep and the odor-causing bacteria in your mouth is allowed to grow and accumulate. When halitosis develops due to foods, congestion or sleep, it is typically eliminated very quickly by brushing your teeth and/or rinsing with mouthwash.

When Bad Breath Persists

 

If you can’t blame your stinky breath odor on the garlic bread you ate for lunch or your current sinus cold, it may be time to consider the status of your oral health. Bad breath often begins with excessive oral bacteria, which can be an indication of the following dental health problems:

• Gum disease
• Decay
• Infection/Abscess
• Dry Mouth

Finding Halitosis Relief

When bad breath becomes a daily battle, it is important to evaluate your dental hygiene routine. Poor brushing and flossing habits are the most common culprit to bad breath struggles. Make sure you are brushing for two minutes, twice a day. Don’t forget to brush all surfaces of your tongue and floss each day. Eliminating extra food particles and bacteria from your mouth is your first line of defense against foul breath odor!

If improving your dental hygiene routine did not freshen your breath, it is time to see a dentist. Your dentist may need to repair a cavity, treat an infection or prescribe dry mouth products to keep your bad breath at bay.

Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed to admit your halitosis sufferings to your dentist. Your dentist may be your only solution to a confident and fresh mouth! Call Riverwood Dental today to schedule Halitosis Treatment in Atlanta.