San Diego Periodontist’s Tips to Improve Bad Breath

Do you struggle with foul breath? As a common dental condition, bad breath affects nearly everyone at some point in their lives (like in the mornings), but when it lingers, the condition can become more than just a nuisance. Chronic bad breath, or halitosis, can have a serious effect on your personal and professional life as you hesitate to interact with others for fear of offending them. Luckily, halitosis isn’t an insurmountable issue. Below, your San Diego periodontist, Dr. Ann Kania, offers a few effective tips for defeating persistent bad breath, and explains what to do if it remains anyway.

Fresher Breath in No Time

Brush and floss often

The inconvenient truth is that most cases of bad breath are due to poor dental hygiene. Dental plaque, the colorless substance that sometimes sticks to your teeth, gums, and tongue, contain hundreds of different kinds of oral bacteria. When some of them metabolize certain nutrients, they release foul-smelling sulfur compounds that can overwhelm a patient’s mouth. Brushing and flossing at least twice every day, and after meals whenever possible, can help control oral bacteria and their foul presence.

Pay attention to saliva

Oral bacteria are largely anaerobic, meaning they thrive in atmospheres devoid of oxygen. When enough of them gather, they form dental plaque to protect them from the mouth’s defenses like saliva, which consists of over 99% water. Since saliva production slows during sleep, germs can gather in excess overnight, leading to the phenomenon of morning breath. Eating a well-balanced breakfast, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can help you maintain a healthy flow of saliva and avoid embarrassing bad breath.

Undergo periodontal treatment

Periodontal disease, the leading cause of adult tooth loss, is a severe bacterial infection that erodes the soft gum tissue surrounding teeth’s roots. As it progresses, periodontal (gum) disease can destroy teeth’s support, and the infection can noticeably taint a patient’s breath. Effectively treating gum disease with advanced periodontal treatment can help alleviate bad breath as well as save your smile from extensive damage.

Seek the Expertise of Your San Diego Periodontist

If bad breath continues to linger in spite of improved hygiene and periodontal treatment, then another dental or systemic health issue may be the underlying cause. Dr. Kania can perform a thorough and comprehensive examination to help determine the cause of your halitosis, and then consult with you to decide the best course of treatment. To learn more about preventing or controlling bad breath, seek Dr. Kania’s expertise today by calling our San Diego periodontist’s office at (760) 642-0711. Located in the 92024 area, we proudly serve patients from Encinitas, San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, La Costa, and the neighboring communities.