Having bad breath can be embarrassing or stressful, causing many to smile with their hand in front of their mouth or constantly chew gum. It's a common issue that you avoid by knowing its causes and practicing a proper dental care routine. Here's some helpful information to increase oral health and boost your self-esteem. 

What Can Lead to Bad Breath?

1. Poor Oral Hygiene

It's common for people to brush their teeth for less than two minutes or skip out on flossing entirely. A poor dental care routine allows plaque and food particles to build up between the teeth and gums, as well as on the tongue. When these substances remain in the mouth, they cause an unpleasant odor.

Poor dental hygiene can also lead to an infection caused by bacteria buildup. This condition will also result in bad odors. To avoid oral issues and maintain a fresh breath, brush twice daily, floss at least once a day, and visit the dentist every six months. 

2. Cavities 

Enjoying too many sweet foods and poor dental care will allow plaque to remain in the mouth and harden into tartar. Once that occurs, the buildup will wear away the enamel, the tooth's protective layer. In this situation, a cavity will form, which leads to bad breath.

A tooth sensitive to food, drinks, or touch will indicate whether it's experiencing decay. Your dentist can properly assess and mitigate the issue by drilling into the tooth, removing the cavity, and filling it with a protective solution. They'll also suggest a more thorough oral hygiene routine to avoid the situation from happening again.

3. Dry Mouth

Drinks like coffee, certain medications, and not consuming enough water throughout the day will dehydrate you. This affects not only your overall health but also your oral care by stunting saliva production. Without this constant moisture, the mouth can't properly dispose of bacteria and plaque buildup. Drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily, chewing sugar-free gum, or implementing mouthwash into your dental care routine can help resolve the issue. 

Avoid bad breath by visiting James Julien, DDS, every six months as part of your routine dental care. This clinic provides a wide range of services to families throughout Kenai, AK, including checkups and cleanings, dental crowns, implants, and bridges. Visits take place in a relaxed and soothing office environment, and the staff ensures all patients leave with a solid education on dental care. Visit the website to learn more about their treatments, or call (907) 283-4857 to schedule an appointment today.