One of my patients, Raymond, called to schedule an appointment because he had noticed that his breath was impossible to keep fresh. Raymond’s problem is incredibly common among adults. Chronic bad breath can be disruptive for sufferers, you may find that you don’t want to interact with people, or stand in close quarters because you’re self-conscious about your breath.

When Raymond came in for his appointment our Bloomingdale family dentists quickly realized that he had been slacking on his daily dental hygiene routine. Although he was still brushing twice a day, he didn’t floss often, and he wasn’t using any mouth rinses. Why does this matter? 

Periodontal disease and cavities are caused bacteria, which infect both gum tissue and dental tissue. These same bacteria are often responsible for bad breath. As bacteria feed on sugars and starches in the mouth, they emit foul smelling odors. That’s why periodontal disease is such a common cause of bad breath. One of the best ways to eliminate bad breath, therefore, is to eliminate bacteria-ridden plaque and tartar in the mouth.

Brushing and flossing at least twice a day will help you keep plaque accumulation to a minimum. If you’re battling bad breath, you may also want to add an antimicrobial rinse, as Raymond did, to kill bacteria that may otherwise be had to reach.

Along with at-home care, it’s imperative that you see your dentist at least twice a year for a professional cleaning. Professional dental cleanings are the only way to eliminate tartar build-up that is mineralized onto teeth.

Maintaining clean, fresh breath is an ongoing process. Raymond found that he was able to defeat bad breath by incorporating an antimicrobial rinse into his cleaning routine and brushing and flossing twice a day. If you’re regularly battling bad breath, give our Bloomingdale family dentists a call. We can help you develop a dental treatment plan that meets your needs and keep you smiling confidently—(630) 994-5174.