Occasionally, everyone suffers from bad breath or halitosis. Often, the culprit is the anchovies we had on our pizza, the onions in our salad, or some other ingredient from breakfast or lunch. Bad breath may also be caused by poor oral hygiene habits. Plaque and bacteria are constantly growing in your mouth, and your tongue harbors millions of bacteria, all of which are working together to cause bad breath. If this the case for you, brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, and if necessary after meals; and the use of a mouthwash should help.
However, if you have chronic bad breath, you should take some time to discuss the issue with your dentist. Besides your diet and your oral health regimen, there are other factors that can contribute to the problem. For example, if you are on a diet and are not eating enough, bad breath can be a result. Dry mouth, which is caused by a lack of saliva can cause bad breath, as well as respiratory infections, sinus problems, diabetes and kidney problems. Smoking or using tobacco will not only contribute to gum disease and oral cancer, but can also lead to halitosis. If the cause of your bad breath is not related to your diet or your oral health regimen, your dentist will want to consult with your physician.
If you brush and floss properly and still struggle with bad breath, you should make an appointment to see Dr. Robert Marder at Robert W Marder DMD, PLLC in New City, New York. Our office can be reached at 212-265-8291. We look forward to helping you solve the issue of bad breath, and assisting you with any other dental concerns.