Whether you suffer from bad breath (AKA halitosis) or other oral health concerns, we welcome you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bridges. Call 580-255-4880 today! We treat patients of all ages and offer a wide range of preventive, restorative, prosthetic, and cosmetic services.

Now, let’s dive into 5 tips to fight bad breath.

Tip #1:  Practice Good Oral Hygiene

It sounds rudimentary because you’ve probably heard this advice since you were a child. Brushing and flossing daily is the number-one way to prevent bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, and many other oral health problems. Because your mouth is an open portal to your body, bacteria in your oral cavity can cause overall health issues, including endocarditis, which is hardening of the arteries. 

Do this to help keep your breath fresh: 

• Brush in the morning and evening. Use a soft-bristled brush and fluoridated toothpaste.
• Brush for two minutes and thoroughly rinse with antibacterial mouthwash or water afterward. 
• Before evening brushing, thoroughly floss your teeth. If you don’t like flossing with floss thread, purchase disposable, pre-threaded flossers. 
• You may want to add a tongue scraper to your routine. These handheld tools remove plaque, food, and bacteria that accumulate on the surface of the tongue.

Tip #2: Watch What You Eat

When a food or beverage has a strong odor, consuming that item will transfer the odor to your mouth. Onions, garlic, curry, fish, fermented foods, and some condiments like horseradish, leave breath quite potent. 

Furthermore, alcohol and carbonated drinks contain elements that dry out the mouth. Since saliva washes our mouths to continually reduce bacteria and food particles, a lack of saliva not only leaves those odiferous elements in the mouth, but it also causes dry mouth. A clinical condition, dry mouth (AKA xerostomia), contributes to both bad breath and tooth decay.

Tip #3: 8 Glasses of Water a Day

Going back to dry mouth being the source of some mouth odors, you should consume eight glasses or more of water every day. It’s commonplace for people to carry bottled water or a refillable container when on the go, so jump on that bandwagon. Water will hydrate your mouth and your body, which promotes good overall health.

Tip #4: Quickly Freshen Your Breath

After consuming a smelly food or drying beverage, rehydrate your mouth with water, sugar-free mints or gum, or mouthwash. These promote salivation and reduce odors that cause bad breath. To stay ahead of bad breath, keep a small bag with these items and some handheld, disposable flossers, handy. 

Tip #5: 6-Month Checkups and Cleanings

Do not neglect regular dental visits! Children and adults of all ages should visit Dr. Bridges every six months, or more often if advised, for a checkup and dental cleaning. 

At checkups, Dr. Bridges often identifies oral health issues in their early stages, when conservative treatment is still possible. Cleanings allow us to track your periodontal health over time and spot gum disease early. The hygienist who performs your cleaning will be happy to demonstrate proper brushing and flossing or provide advice about oral health products. 

Schedule a Checkup with Your Family Dentist in Duncan, OK

Is bad breath causing you embarrassment? Give us a call at 580-255-4880 to schedule an appointment with your family dentist in Duncan, OK, Dr. Matthew Bridges. He’ll talk with you about your oral health concerns, conduct a comprehensive oral exam, and explain his findings and treatment options, if necessary. We want to help you and your loved ones enjoy good oral health and a high quality of life now and in the future!

The post 5 Tips to Fight Bad Breath by Family Dentist in Duncan, OK appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

Dr. Matthew L. Bridges is an experienced and highly-qualified dentist serving Duncan, OK, and the surrounding areas. If you want to see why he has been voted one of the top dentists in the area, then schedule your appointment today. New and existing patients can reach Chisholm Trail Smile Center online here or by calling (580) 255-4880.

If you’re experiencing bad breath now, then you may want to take action before your appointment with Dr. Bridges. In this post, our team explores three possible causes of bad breath and what you can do about it.

Poor Oral Hygiene

The human mouth contains billions of bacteria that make up a unique microbiome. This oral microbiome is important for good dental and systemic health, but imbalances in bacterial growth can lead to disease, dysfunction, and (you guessed it!) bad breath.

Ordinarily, daily oral hygiene practices help us keep bad oral bacteria at bay. But, when we begin to slack off on twice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing, then odor-causing bacteria can flourish. The result is bad breath that makes social interactions more unpleasant for you and others.

What you can do about it!

If poor oral hygiene is responsible for smelly breath, then try:

• Brushing after meals and snacks
• Scraping or brushing the tongue 
• Flossing at least once a day
• Rinsing with an alcohol-free mouthwash 

Diet

Certain foods and drinks can leave an unpleasant odor lingering in your mouth. For example, coffee can cause pungent breath because of its strong scent. But, it also contains approximately 95 mg of caffeine, which can raise heart rates and cause dehydration. And, once dehydration sets in, the mouth becomes drier and more susceptible to bad breath. Alcohol has a similar drying effect on the mouth.  

Alternatively, high-sugar diets can lead to bad breath. Odor-causing bacteria in the mouth love sugar, so eating a steady supply of it can cause bacterial populations to explode. The result is bad breath, increased cavities, and inflamed gum tissue (periodontal disease).

What you can do about it!

Eating a well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet is a fantastic way to improve your oral health and reduce bad breath. And, don’t forget to drink plenty of fresh water! Drinking water can help flush harmful bacteria from the mouth, leading to a healthier, more aromatic smile.

Tobacco Products

Whether it’s cigarettes, chew, or vape, tobacco products can wreak havoc on your breath. Of course, many tobacco products can make our smiles smell like an ashtray. But, it’s much more than that–tobacco products destroy our gum tissue, too.

Tobacco and nicotine alter the way our soft tissues absorb oxygen. And, when tissue lacks oxygen for extended periods of time, the tissue begins to degrade. This means that tobacco products degrade gum tissue over time, making bad breath and permanent tooth loss a very real threat.

What you can do about it!

Although it’s much easier said than done, quitting is the only option to prevent tobacco-related bad breath. Here are resources vetted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help you quit smoking.

Bad breath? We can help!

If diet changes and improved oral hygiene don’t get rid of bad breath, then it might be something more serious. We can help you get to the bottom of smelly breath. Contact the team at Chisholm Trail Smile Center today. Patients can reach our Duncan dental clinic online here or by calling (580) 255-4880.

The post Three Possible Causes of Bad Breath (& what to do about it!) appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

Having bad breath. 

An estimated 30% of adults suffer from bad breath, making this issue one of the most common oral health problems faced by patients.

Not only is it embarrassing, but bad breath often affects the way a person is treated in professional or social situations, too. Those with bad breath are typically stigmatized compared to their minty fresh counterparts, making low self-esteem and self-consciousness two struggles that those with bad breath know all too well. 

Are you suffering from bad breath? You don’t have to go through it alone. Here at Chisholm Trail Smile Center, our team of experienced and dedicated dental professionals is standing by to help with preventive dentistry and practical tips. 

What causes bad breath? 

Persistent bad breath, commonly referred to as halitosis, is generally caused by the buildup of bacteria in the mouth. As bacteria cluster together, they produce a foul odor that lingers in the mouth for an extended period of time if it isn’t attended to. Luckily, bad breath can usually be fixed at home with a few changes to an oral hygiene routine. 

While it may be frustrating to deal with, don’t stress yourself out. Bad breath is only temporary and can be resolved. By drinking more fluids, brushing carefully, and making changes to your regular diet, you can make bad breath a thing of the past. 

Try these three secret remedies for a DIY cure.

1 – Drink lots of water. 

Saliva plays a critical role in keeping the mouth clean. As research shows, halitosis directly correlates to having a dry mouth. This is why breath is typically worse in the morning than at night, since the body dehydrates itself as it sleeps and needs to be rehydrated in the morning. 

To fight against dry mouth and keep bad breath away, ensure your body stays hydrated by drinking lots of water. Drinking water encourages saliva production, preventing harmful bacteria from cultivating and causing smelly breath. Aim for 8 glasses per day. 

2 – Brush your tongue.

Brushing and flossing your teeth are well-known essential elements of any dental routine, but food particles can get stuck on the tongue, too. This makes the tongue a hotspot for bacteria to thrive. 

To give your mouth a more thorough cleaning, use a tongue scraper when you brush your teeth to wash away any excess particles. Tongue scraping eliminates the thin layer of film that tends to gather along the tongue in a grayish or yellow color. Rinse your mouth after each use. 

3 – Eat probiotic yogurt. 

Probiotics are live bacteria that are beneficial for good health. Containing a bacteria called lactobacillus, the healthy bacteria proponents in probiotic yogurt combat the bad bacteria in your body and inside your gut. 

Eating more foods with good bacteria such as probiotic yogurt may change the good-to-bad bacteria ratio in your mouth, thereby eliminating bad breath. While all yogurt naturally contains probiotics, opt for one with added probiotic elements for the best results. 

While smelly breath is often the result of bacteria and can be improved with at-home remedies, at times it can be the result of something more severe, such as gum disease. The best way to prevent smelly breath from forming and detect any health abnormalities as soon as they arise is by practicing good oral hygiene and attending regular dental check ups.

Fight Bad Breath With a Dental Cleaning Today

Headed by Dr. Matthew L. Bridges, Chisholm Trail Smile Center is committed to providing each patient with the highest quality of dental care to resolve any oral health problems you may encounter.

Call (580) 255-4880 to schedule your next appointment in Duncan, OK. 

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