Bad breath may seem like a pretty small problem in the scale of things, but no problem is small when it directly affects you, your colleagues and those you love. Being a little further apart from friends may have pushed smelly breath down your list of “Things To Tackle in 2021”, but your Rochester, MN, dentist can find out what’s causing your bad breath and help you make a plan to treat it. It may feel a little awkward to admit this is an issue, but facing it sooner rather than later is likely to make it an easier issue to treat.
Bad Breath Could Mean Tweak Your Diet
If your bad breath is an occasional issue around mealtimes, it could be your diet is the culprit. Certain foods (for examples, members of the onion and garlic family) cause chemical reactions as they break down, and give the breath an unpleasant smell. In this case, a sugar free breath mint or sugar free gum may take care of the problem. You may choose to save these foods for when you are eating alone, or not likely to be close to people after the meal. Our trusted team is always ready to answer questions or make suggestions for breath-friendly snacks.
Bad Breath Could Mean Drink More Water
It is a fact of life that our mouths contain bacteria that are constantly at work breaking down the foods we eat. In a perfect world, food is washed from the mouth constantly by saliva and the liquids we drink at mealtimes. If you notice breath odor, be sure to sip water during and after meals and while snacking. Also, have a glass of water first thing in the morning, when your mouth has been closed all night. By rising food from teeth as often as possible, not only do you help lessen the chance of needing a cavity filled, but breath odors are usually kept to minimum.
Bad Breath Could Mean Gum Disease
A more serious cause of breath odor is gum disease. Bleeding gums, puffy tender gums, and bad breath are all signs that infection may be present beneath the gum line. This is not something you can diagnose and treat on your own, but our trusted team can offer deep cleaning options, and other treatments, if your gums have an infection. Left untreated, gum infection can progress to periodontal disease, loosened teeth, and eventually, tooth loss.
Don’t Ignore Persistent Bad Breath
If you notice breath odor, it is best to find the reason sooner, rather than waiting weeks or months to see if it will go away on its own. For help with bad breath for you or a member of your family, or to learn more, call our dentist’s office in Rochester, MN at (507) 281-3659.
