San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
It’s one of those things most people do not want to talk about, even with their dentist. Bad breath is certainly embarrassing, yet it happens to just about all of us at some point. While sometimes, certain foods you eat such as that garlic bread with lunch, or those extra onions you added on your taco are to blame for intermittent bouts of bad breath, there are instances in which bad breath becomes a chronic issue.
Your family dentists in San Francisco at Glen Park Dental want to discuss with you ways to nip bad breath in the bud once and for all.
Let’s set one thing straight about bad breath, if you experience it regularly, see your dentist. This could be a sign of a more serious oral health problem or even a systemic disease such as Diabetes. If you cannot directly relate your bad breath to something you ate, please get it checked out immediately. In the meantime, here are some ways to help combat your bad breath.
Mouth Rinse
A non-alcohol based mouth rinse swished in your mouth after brushing can help reduce the number of oral bacteria that is responsible for causing bad breath. It is the dead cells that cause bad breath in our mouths, and mouthwash can reach areas that are difficult to brush or that you may have missed when flossing. Just opt for the non-alcohol based mouth rinses, there is no reason to endure that uncomfortable sting!
Mouth Moisteners
Dry mouth can be a result of certain medications or sometimes comes with age. Keeping your mouth moist will help reduce levels of bacteria that cause bad breath. Be sure that you are drinking plenty of water as it is, but you can also opt for mouth moisteners such as Biotene, an over-the-counter rinse that can be found in most stores that sell personal care items.
Clear your sinuses
Another culprit of bad breath is chronic allergies. If you deal with a post nasal drip all of the time, consider reaching for an over-the-counter nasal spray to help dry up excess nasal discharge. You may also want to speak with your general practitioner for other ways to combat your allergies.
Amp up your oral hygiene routine
Other ways to help remove odor-causing bacteria is to work harder to remove it. Sometimes, brushing and flossing alone just won’t cut it. Add in the use of a tongue scraper. This simple to use device can reach as far back as you need it to remove bacteria off your tongue. A water flosser is also another handy gadget that can be used after you floss your teeth to remove debris that may still be trapped between your teeth or in your mouth. You also could trade in your manual toothbrush for an electronic one. Some studies show that electronic toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque buildup. However, discuss with your dentist whether using an electronic toothbrush would truly be beneficial for you.
Get rid of bad breath in San Francisco
To learn more, or find out how your local Bay Area dentists at Glen Park Dental can help treat such issues, give us a call at (415) 585-1500 to schedule a consultation.
Glen Park Dental is proud to offer comprehensive oral care services to patients in the areas of Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco, California.