Bad breath is a common problem among adult dental patients, but it can sometimes be difficult for people to treat on their own. There are a number of potential root causes of malodorous breath. Today our Saint Louis dentists are sharing some information about why bad breath develops. Once you understand how and why stale breath develops, you can take proactive steps to maintain fresh breath.
The first thing to know is that the oral bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease emit unpleasant odors as they feed and grow. This key fact will help you understand how bad breath develops and progresses.
Gum disease is one of the leading causes of persistent bad breath. When your oral tissues become infected by oral bacteria, your gum tissue weakens, and your breath becomes harder and harder to keep fresh. In these cases, you really need to treat the underlying oral infection in order to conquer odorous breath—any other measures, like breath mints, risk exacerbating the issue.
You might also find that your breath is malodorous because of an existing cavity. An infected tooth can release unpleasant odors and create a bad taste in your mouth. Once your dentist eliminates the cavity and repairs the tooth with a filling or crown, you’ll find it easier to maintain a fresh smile.
If you are battling bad breath, keep in mind that odor-causing bacteria are prone to coating, and multiplying on the tongue. You might want to incorporate a tongue scraper into your daily oral hygiene routine. You can use a scraper to dislodge plaque from your tongue, and then brush your smile to achieve a fresher mouth.
Our Saint Louis dentists are here to give you all of the help and support that you need to maintain fresh breath. Feel free to contact our dental team to learn more about how you can optimize your oral hygiene routine to battle bad breath.