Avoid Bad Breath [Video]

Dr. Jerry Dunn, a dentist in the greater Irving TX area, recognizes that many of our patients are concerned about bad breath, or halitosis. While some cases of bad breath are persistent (chronic bad breath), generally bad breath is transient, and can be prevented.

We recently came across this helpful video about bad breath and thought it was worth sharing with our patients. The video explains what might cause bad breath and some ways that it can be avoided. In most instances, bad breath can be prevented by practicing common oral hygiene techniques that you have probably heard us emphasize during a visit to Advanced Dental Care of Las Colinas, such as brushing and flossing daily. We encourage you to watch this video for additional tips on how to keep bad breath at bay. Enjoy!

Ask Dr. Dunn: How do I prevent bad breath?

We've blogged about the effects of bad breath in the past, and today thought we'd share a few tips with you to help prevent halitosis, or bad breath. Dr. Dunn knows bad breath can be a bummer, but he also knows that it can be easily prevented!

Bad breath is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grow in your mouth. This bacteria gathers on bits of food and between your teeth and release sulfur compounds, making your breath smell. Recently, we read an article by Dr. Andrew Weil titled, "3 Ways to Prevent Bad Breath." He recommends the following ways to help prevent bad breath:

1. Brush your tongue: "The tongue, and especially the back of the tongue, is a warm harbor for bacteria," he writes, and recommends spending some time on your tongue during teeth brushing, "moving slowly toward the back so as not to activate your gag reflex."

2. Keep your mouth hydrated: Because a dry mouth typically leads to bad breath, eating oranges or celery, or drinking water, may help.

3. Freshen your mouth: Herbal palate cleansers (parsley, peppermint tea and cardamom seeds may do the trick). If bad breath returns, give us a call! Dr. Dunn may diagnose any condition or concerns of the oral cavity that may be causing the problems, such as gum disease.

If you have any questions about halitosis or your treatment with Dr. Dunn, please give us a call!

Parsley and Other Ways To Brighten Your Smile from Dr. Dunn

At Advanced Dental Care of Las Colinas we see lots of patients concerned about their bad breath. So we want to educate you about what you can do to really keep your chompers clean and breath minty fresh!

Naturally, good oral hygiene is the first set. With proper brushing and regular dental checkups you can keep bad breath (halitosis) in check.

Certain foods, medications, smoking, sinus issues, or even gum disease cause most bad breath. If the stink lingers for longer than 24 hours, you should see us at Advanced Dental Care of Las Colinas. It might be something more serious, like dehydration, zinc deficiency, diabetes, liver failure, kidney failure, or even certain kinds of cancers!

In the meantime, here are some home remedies to keep you smiling bright from Advanced Dental Care of Las Colinas.

--Spice Up Your Life
Snack on some cloves, fennel, or anise after each particularly odorous snack.
--Don’t forget the tongue
Lots of people brush their teeth regularly, but leave the tongue alone. One of the main causes of bad breath is food and plaque residue on the surface of your tongue. So give it a nice gentle brush-over too!
--Watch your drinking habits
The worst options are coffee, wine, whiskey, and beer.
--Frequent brushing
Carry a toothbrush with you so brushing after each meal is convenient and refreshing! Trust us, you’ll love the way it makes you feel. If you can’t brush, still swish around a couple sips of water to remove any lingering food.
--Make your own Gargle
Gargling with a home mixture of sage, calendula, and myrrh gum extracts four times a day should ward off that bad breath potential.
--Parsley’s there for a reason
Finish your parsley after you finish your dinner and you’ll find a refreshing breath enhancer. Hate the texture? Throw a couple sprigs in a blender to sip after each meal.
--Sugarless Gum
Always a good idea to carry some mints or sugarless gum for that quick spruce up before you meet the boss.
--Don’t cut that cheese
The stronger the cheese, the stinkier your breath can become. Think about blue cheese and Roquefort? They really get the party started in your mouth and it’s hard to make them leave!

Bad Breath Begone! --Advanced Dental Care of Las Colinas

When was the last time you furtively breathed into your hand to do a quick check for bad breath? Do you ever wonder if what you're smelling is your breath or your hand? Next time, try this: Lick the back of your wrist, wait a minute for your saliva to dry, then take a whiff. This trick takes into account two important facts: the bacteria on your tongue is a common cause of bad breath, and the back of your wrist is usually cleaner than the inside of your hand!

Keep in mind that there are two types of bad breath: Transient bad breath and chronic bad breath. Most of us suffer from transient bad breath at some point or another – common causes are smoking, eating smelly foods like onions or garlic, and failing to brush and floss regularly. "Morning breath" is a familiar example of transient bad breath.

Fortunately, avoiding transient bad breath is simple. Follow these guidelines and you can stop chugging those breath mints with a mouthwash chaser:

* Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste – and don't forget to brush your tongue. Let that bacteria know who's boss!
* Floss twice a day to remove hidden food particles and bacteria between your teeth.
* When you're brushing and flossing, take a minute to scrape your tongue, even the way-back, hard-to-reach part. You can find a tongue scraper at your local drugstore.
* Denture wearers: Remove your dentures before bed and cleanse them thoroughly before replacing them in the morning.
* Avoid habitual indulgence in candy, gum, lollipops, and other sources of sugar, which can cause tooth decay.
* Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Staying hydrated helps keep a healthy amount of saliva in your mouth.
* Visit your dentist. Regular visits help you maintain good oral health and prevent situations that can cause bad breath.
* Quit smoking! Bad breath is the least of the long list of health hazards associated with this habit.

If you find yourself habitually checking for (and finding) bad breath, you may have more than just a transient problem. Chronic halitosis (another word for bad breath) affects some 40 million Americans, and sometimes signifies the existence of a medical disorder.

There are several potential reasons behind the occurrence of chronic halitosis. One is the onset of periodontal (gum) disease, which occurs when a film of bacteria called plaque forms on the teeth, causing infection and subsequent weakening of the gums. Another possible source of halitosis is xerostomia, or "dry mouth": when the flow of saliva through your mouth decreases, bacteria that would normally be flushed out stays put. A third potential cause of chronic bad breath is a condition called ketosis, which is found in people with high-protein, low-carb diets – sorry, Atkins lovers! Finally, there is a broad range of serious health problems that carry bad breath as a side effect; a few examples are respiratory tract infection, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, and liver and kidney disorders.

If you've followed the guidelines listed above and you continue to suffer from halitosis, discuss the problem with your dentist. If he or she determines that your oral health is not the issue, the next step is visiting your family doctor or a specialist who can identify the cause and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Of course, most cases of bad breath are – not surprisingly – tied to your oral health, and your dentist can develop a treatment plan to address the problem and have you breathing with confidence once again. Call us at Advanced Dental Care of Las Colinas if you have any concerns about your teeth!