Research shows that about 25% of people suffer from bad breath, also known as Halitosis. Halitosis can cause self-consciousness and, at times, embarrassment. However, there are solutions! The following article will discuss how your dentist can help you battle bad breath.
Make sure to discuss any dental concerns with your West Vancouver dentist, who will help you address the issue and catch potential problems early. If you have questions about the information provided in this article, contact Peak Dental Arts to speak with one of our knowledgeable professionals.
Proper Tongue Care
Although teeth are the main focus of oral health care, when you brush your teeth, it’s also essential not to neglect your tongue. Perhaps you’ve been experiencing dry mouth or noticed canker sores appearing more frequently; this is all important to mention to your dentist. They may want to get a closer look to verify that everything is as it should be.
Some dentists may even recommend that you add tongue scraping as part of your daily mouth care. It is an integral part of oral health care, whether you use a toothbrush or a tool specifically for tongue scraping. If you decide you’d like to try tongue scraping, ask your West Vancouver dentist to show you how to do it safely and properly. The wrong technique risks damaging your taste buds.
Your dentist will show you how to scrape your tongue effectively. They will likely also ask you to demonstrate the technique to ensure that you understand how to do it correctly.
Treatment for Dry Mouth
An excess of saliva can be bothersome; however, saliva is important for fighting against cavities. A lack of saliva in the mouth creates the perfect environment for cavities and other bacteria to grow. This bacteria can lead to the unpleasant odour we think of as bad breath.
A dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can be caused by a number of health conditions and lifestyle choices. The most common causes are:
- Stress
- Smoking
- Certain health conditions and medications
- Dehydration
- Aging
- Exercising or playing in the heat
- Snoring and breathing through the mouth
A simple solution to this problem is chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candy to promote saliva production. Another possible remedy is to ensure you drink enough water throughout the day.
If these methods don’t work for you and your dry mouth is an ongoing problem, it’s a good idea to speak with your dentist about other options. A dentist can offer effective treatments that are only available from trained professionals. These solutions include dry mouth gels and medicated mouthwash.
Recommendations for Mouthwash and Toothpaste
Speaking of mouthwash – brushing your teeth and using mouthwash are usually the first solutions people turn to when dealing with bad breath. They are undeniably great ways to remove odour-causing bacteria from hard-to-reach places. However, be mindful of the type of toothpaste and mouthwash that you use.
With the number of toothpaste, tooth gels and mouthwashes on the market, it can be hard to find products that don’t worsen dry mouth. This is essential to avoid making bad breath even worse. If possible, read the contents of your oral health products and look for cetylpyridinium chloride. This ingredient helps to kill odour-causing bacteria rather than just masking the odour.
The internet is a great place to research many topics, but when it comes to health and dental care, it’s best to confirm with a professional. Ask your North Vancouver dentist about the brands of mouthwash and toothpaste products they trust to be effective against both bad breath and dry mouth. You can also ask them if they think a moisturizing mouthwash would help in your situation.
Other Factors and Treatments
If bad breath is affecting your daily life and you don’t know how to fix it, make an appointment with a dental health professional as soon as possible. While occasional bad breath is normal, persistent bad breath can be a sign of a more serious health or dental issue.
Speaking to a professional dentist can also help narrow down reasons for your bad breath that are not mentioned in this article. These factors can include whether or not you smoke, your family medical history and your diet – all of which affect not only your dental health but your health in general.
Are You Looking for a North Vancouver Dental Clinic?
If you need a dentist in North Vancouver, contact Peak Dental Arts. From cosmetic teeth treatments like teeth whitening to emergency dental care, our experienced and committed team is here for you. Call us today at 604 770 2222 or fill out our online contact form to request an appointment.
