What to Do When Breath Mints Aren’t Enough

Does it seem that no matter how many breath mints you crunch on throughout the day or how many packs of mint gum you go through in a week, your breath still smells stale and unpleasant, as if you had a chronic case of morning breath? Unfortunately, many people with halitosis (the clinical term for bad breath) rely on mints, gums, and mouthwash to freshen their breath without understanding that a serious oral or general health issue may be responsible.

Find Out the Cause of Your Bad Breath

Taking the appropriate steps to treat your bad breath depends on knowing what’s causing the problem. A few common causes of bad breath include:

• Food-related bad breath. Coffee breathes, garlic breath, onion breath, milk breath. The foods you eat can seriously impact how your breath smells, even hours after you eat. Brushing or rinsing after you eat meals or indulge in a snack is the best way to combat food-related bad breath. However, you should note that garlic, onions, and shallots can linger on your breath for 24-48 hours after you eat.
• Gum disease. When new patients visit the dentist for the first time in a few years and they mention concerns about unpleasant breath, gum disease is almost always the culprit. This inflammation of the gums and connective tissues affects about half of all U.S. adults. The oral bacteria responsible for gum inflammation produce a foul-smelling byproduct that makes a gum disease sufferer’s breath has a characteristic odor.
• Other oral health issues. Xerostomia (dry mouth), decayed or infected teeth, and poor oral hygiene leading to the buildup of food particles, dead epithelial cells, and plaque can all cause halitosis.
• Underlying general health problems. If your dentist is able to rule out diet and oral health as the cause of your bad breath, he may recommend you schedule an appointment with your family doctor. Halitosis is often a symptom of problems like respiratory infection, kidney and liver disease, diabetes, and acid reflux.

Follow Your Healthcare Provider’s Advice

After avoiding or minimizing problematic foods and drinks, practicing regular, careful dental hygiene is your next step to enjoying fresher breath. Floss every evening before bed to remove food and plaque trapped between teeth and brush at least two times a day to remove plaque and food at the gum line. Use a separate tongue scraper (or the tongue scraper on the back of your toothbrush head) to slough away any bacteria or cells clinging to your tongue’s surface. You may also need to follow up with your dentist for gum disease therapy or with your physician for treatment of any underlying general health problems.

About Dr. Mark Miller

At Snow Park Dental, Dr. Miller provides the preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental care you need to help you enjoy optimal oral health and a beautiful smile. Contact us today at (505) 299-2979 to schedule a consultation or appointment at our Albuquerque dentist’s office. We proudly serve families from Rio Rancho, Corrales, Edgewood, Tijeras, Los Lunas, and surrounding communities.

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