Boise Dentist: The Causes & Treatment of Bad Breath

We’ve all been there. At the most inopportune time, someone tells us we have bad breath. While embarrassing, bad breath doesn’t need to haunt your memories. In fact, it’s completely treatable in almost all cases. 

Causes of Bad Breath

In order to keep bad breath from happening, it’s important to understand what causes it and how to treat it with the help of your Boise dentist.

Poor Boise Dental Health

Brushing and flossing on a daily basis is an essential way to remove food particles leftover from eating. Leftover food particles not only cause bad breath but other issues like gingivitis and cavities as well. It’s also important to visit your downtown Boise dentist for regular cleanings to remove any plaque or tartar buildup for a minty fresh, clean mouth.

Food Choices

Delicious foods with strong odors like garlic and onions are often the cause of bad breath. By allowing leftover food particles such as these to remain in your mouth, they will start decompose, emitting an unpleasant odor. In order to indulge in your favorite foods while preventing bad breath from happening, it’s important to brush and floss your teeth immediately after eating. Another suggestion? Avoid certain foods with strong odors when you have a planned social engagement like a date, etc.

Dehydration

Another common cause of bad breath is dehydration. Without proper hydration, your mouth cannot produce enough saliva to neutralize acids and rinse the mouth. While there are some medications and diseases that can cause chronic dry mouth, it may be helpful to chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production and drink plenty of water.

Treating Bad Breath

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day
• Floss after eating and before bed
• Chew sugar-free gum
• Use mouthwash
• Clean your tongue
• Drink plenty of water

Professional Help

If at-home treatments fail to eliminate your bad breath, an underlying issue like an infection or something more serious may be the cause. In that case, it’s important to visit your downtown Boise dentist. At Summit Dental Group, we can help you determine the cause of your bad breath and treat it if necessary. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact us at (208) 314-2275.