Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Chronic bad breath is more common than you may think. Most of us respond to bad breath by brushing and flossing more regularly and more rigorously and often supplementing with mouthwash, breath mints, and chewing gum. The underlying cause is not addressed, and some of thee methods can actually make your breath worse.

Most bad breath is caused by anaerobic bacteria harbored in the grooves of your tongue and pockets of your gums. It can also be caused by tooth decay and gum disease. In a few cases, non-dental medical problems, such as chronic sinus infections, can be the source.

Mouthwash can make bad breath worse because it contains alcohol and dries out your mouth, making it an even more hospitable environment for anaerobic bacteria. Breath mints and gum can contribute to tooth decay, furthering your breath problems.

Treatments for bad breath can reach the bacteria that you can’t get to in your normal routine. Breath treatment can include tongue scraping, gum treatments, removing tooth decay, and special alcohol-free mouth rinses.