At Beach Cities Dental Group, Dr. Haddad leads a group of experienced and compassionate dental professionals who are here to help you achieve your best dental health. We offer treatment plans to address any and all dental concerns, including bad breath. Bad breath is a common dental concern; however, many patients do not know the causes of bad breath and when to report bad breath to their dentist. Below is some additional information on the causes of bad breath including prevention tips and available treatment options:
Morning Breath
Morning breath is a common dental concern that we all experience at some point in our lives. It is caused because saliva production slows down while we are sleeping because we are not doing any of the activities such as chewing or speaking which stimulate saliva production. This causes your mouth to become dry, making it a perfect breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria. To reduce your morning breath, drink a bunch of water right before bed to help prevent dry mouth. Additionally, consider incorporating a mouthwash or tongue-scraper into your at-home oral hygiene routine. This will help reduce the amount of bacteria left behind on your smile before bed.
Preventing Bad Breath
Brushing and flossing twice a day are essential to maintaining fresh breath. You should brush your teeth once in the morning, before breakfast, and once at night, before bed. Avoid pungent foods that contain notes of garlic or onion. You may also consider adding more smile-friendly snacks into your diet like apple slices or carrot sticks which actively help freshen your breath as you eat them. After midday meals, when brushing and flossing are not as convenient, chewing sugar-free gum or rinsing your mouth out with water will help keep your breath fresh.
When To See A Dentist
You should consult with your dentist if you do not see improvements to your breath even after making improvements to your oral hygiene routine. Any constant bad smell or bad taste in your mouth is a sign of an underlying dental concern causing this symptom. Tooth decay and gum disease are common dental concerns that cause bad breath. At Beach Cities Dental Group, our Oxnard dentist provides general dentistry services including gum disease treatment options, dental fillings, and preventative care. If you are looking for a dentist office in Oxnard, CA, schedule an appointment with Dr. Haddad today. We look forward to seeing you soon.