Your Philadelphia Dentist Can Help Prevent Bad Breath

Bad breath is a common problem that your Philadelphia dentist can treat.  No one wants to have bad breath and for some people simply chewing gum or rinsing with mouthwash is enough to keep the smell away.  For others there is a larger health issue at play that needs to be addressed in order to make their breath smell better.

Around twenty percent of the time, bad breath is caused by a respiratory infection or another physical health problem.  When you feel unwell and have persistent bad breath, it may be worth a trip to your local physician.  Things like a sinus infection can cause bad breath and may also go away with a simple course of antibiotics. When dealing with bad breath, first consider if it may be related to a physical sickness.

If you are in good health your bad breath is caused by something inside of your mouth.  People commonly look to their recent food choices and while this does create bad breath the smell should go away just by brushing.  If you brush your teeth only to find that your breath stinks an hour later it is likely due to an oral health issue that can be treated by your Philadelphia dentist.

At Avenue of the Arts Dental we recommend that patients have their teeth cleaned at least twice a year and those with persistent bad breath should do so more often.  During these teeth cleanings our dental hygienist will remove bacteria and plaque that is on, around, and in between your teeth.  They can both create a foul smelling odor in addition to posing a health risk. Removing them should greatly improve your breath.

After your teeth have been cleaned our Philadelphia dentist will conduct a thorough examination to determine if any gum disease or tooth decay is present.  Both of these are the equivalent of a sickness inside of your mouth.  Just like a sinus infection can create bad breath, they can also create bad breath as a sign of the illness. It is important to treat cavities and gum disease immediately before the infection spreads and creates larger issues and performing regular dental exams enable us to do so.

You can continue improving your breath with a good at-home oral hygiene routine.  It all starts with brushing your teeth.  Instead of brushing only twice a day you should brush after ever meal.  Use a soft toothbrush that won’t irritate your gums while still brushing thoroughly.  Make sure that you also brush your tongue since smells can become trapped there.  You can even purchase a tongue scraper at the local drug store that will help give it a thorough cleaning and remove any surface odors.

Make sure that you floss at least once a day, preferably twice. Brushing alone cannot get bacteria out from in between your teeth, so flossing is an essential step.  Complete your routine with an antiseptic mouthwash to kill any lingering bacteria.

To learn more about how to keep your breath smelling fresh and your teeth and gums healthy, call Avenue of the Arts Dental, your local Philadelphia dentist today.