Bad Breath

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a condition that can be embarrassing and socially isolating. While there are many over-the-counter products available to mask bad breath, these only provide temporary relief.

At Melody Dental Care, we’re happy to help patients of all walks of life get to the root cause of their problem while also helping them improve their breath.

Common Causes of Bad Breath

The first step in getting to the cause of bad breath is to find out what’s causing it. Sometimes, this can be a process of elimination. Some of the most common causes of halitosis include:

• Eating foods with strong odors like garlic or onions.
• Not brushing and flossing regularly.
• Smoking or chewing tobacco.
• Dry mouth caused by certain medications or medical conditions.
• Infections in the mouth, respiratory tract or sinuses.

Treatment for Bad Breath

If you’re struggling with bad breath, we invite you to book a visit with us. We’ll start with a dental exam to see what might be causing it. We’ll look for signs of infection, tooth decay, or gum disease, which could all cause bad breath.

We may recommend a deep clean, also called scaling and root planing. After a cleaning, we recommend also trying some of the following lifestyle changes, including:

1. Make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. Brushing and flossing removes plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and gums and causes bad breath.

2. Use a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper is a tool that helps remove bacteria from the tongue, which is a common cause of bad breath.

3. Quit smoking. Smoking is a major cause of bad breath. If you smoke, quitting is the best way to freshen your breath and improve your overall health.

4. Drink plenty of water. Drinking water helps wash away food particles and bacteria that can cause bad breath.

5. Chew sugar-free gum or mints. Chewing gum or sucking on mints stimulates saliva production, which helps rinse away food particles and bacteria that can cause bad breath.

6. Avoid foods that cause bad breath. Foods such as garlic, onions, and curry can cause bad breath.

Bad Breath, Riverside, Chino Hills CA | Melody Dental Care