Nobody likes bad breath. However, it’s a common problem many of us deal with on a daily basis. While some of us experience bad breath after eating something strong like garlic or onions, others might deal with bad breath regularly. Luckily, there are several helpful tools and products that can treat bad breath. Here’s what we recommend at Cedarwood Dentistry for getting rid of bacteria and freshening up your mouth:
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Mouth Rinse
Mouth rinse, or mouthwash, cleans food particles and plaque off your teeth and can kill bacteria that causes bad breath. TheraBreath and SmartMouth are two types of mouthwash we recommend for effectively combating bad breath. While Listerine might be good for that initial shot before talking to somebody, it’s basically just alcohol, so it doesn’t have any long-term effects and can dry out tissue. ACT doesn’t do much for bad breath either, although it does provide fluoride for remineralizing teeth.
If a patient has severe dry mouth, irritation, or a bad reaction to mint or cinnamon, we recommend Biotène and CloSYS. These two rinses are specifically made for dry mouth and are sensitive formulas without as many chemicals. We’d also recommend Tooth and Gums Tonic, which uses essential oils and is a more natural, alcohol-free product.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste ingredients can play a big role in managing bad breath. Many new toothpastes are made with stannous fluoride instead of the more common sodium fluoride. Stannous fluoride has been around for years and is effective at fighting halitosis because it kills odor-causing bacteria in the mouth. However, it does have a downside—stannous fluoride can cause tooth staining, especially in people who are more prone to discoloration.
If you’re looking for a toothpaste to help with bad breath, we recommend a mouth rinse or a tongue scraper first. However, if you really need something above and beyond, then using a toothpaste with Stannous fluoride can help with bad breath. Just be aware that it can lead to stained teeth as well.
Tongue Scrapers
Any type of product that mechanically removes plaque and biofilm (bacteria and its counterparts on the tongue) can help eradicate bad breath. This includes a toothbrush and brushing your tongue or simply using a tongue scraper. At Cedarwood Dentistry, we recommend the flat ones that you pull down the tongue, but there are a variety of styles available. Tongue scraping helps by removing biofilm, a place where bad breath bacteria commonly grows. Electric toothbrushes can also be used to brush your tongue and remove plaque as well.
Flossing
Flossing is an essential part of addressing bad breath because if you don’t floss, you’re leaving room for bacteria to build up between your teeth. So flossing, whether using a flossing device or traditional dental floss, can help fight bad breath.
Chewing Gum & Mints
Chewing gum and mints are more of an immediate, temporary solution. However, gum or mints made with xylitol are more effective, as they actually kill bacteria that causes bad breath. So, the next time you’re looking to pick up some gum or mints at a gas station, check the ingredients first! We recommend Spry Mints and Ice Breakers Ice Cubes due to the higher level of xylitol content. Patients with dogs should be careful with xylitol products, though, as it is highly toxic to canines.
Treat the Causes of Bad Breath
Although these are some helpful tools and products to help treat bad breath, there are a few other causes of bad breath other than simply bacteria in the mouth. Visit us at Cedwardwood Dentistry to address any potential issues that might be causing your bad breath so we can help fix the problem once and for all.
At Cedarwood Dentistry, we cultivate dental health through personalized care. We offer a variety of dental services, including family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and emergency care in Midlothian, Virginia. Whether you last visited the dentist six months or six years ago, we can help bring your smile to life. Schedule your dentist appointment today by calling 804-379-9375.