Just about everyone has bad breath (Halitosis) at some time. For some people, bad breath occurs after enjoying sulfur containing foods (onions, garlic, and cabbage). For others, bad breath occurs on a more regular basis not relating to the foods they eat.

While about ten percent of chronic cases of halitosis are due to certain medications or medical conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, or liver disease, the other ninety percent of people with bad breath can blame the degradation of naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria thrive in dark, oxygen-poor environments like your gums, the back of your tongue and around the roots of your teeth.

When these bacteria are hiding out on the back of your tongue, you can keep your mouth smelling fresh by proper brushing, flossing, keeping your mouth moist and using a tongue scraper on a regular basis. Avoiding foods containing sulfur (onions, garlic, and cabbage) will also help as these foods produce sulfurous gases as you digest them.

For cases where bacteria are hiding out underneath your gums or around the roots of your teeth, you may not be able to cure your own halitosis. When this occurs, Dr. Crete and the staff at Rivertown Dental Associates can provide treatments to address the bugs hiding out in these hard to clean places. Contact Rivertown Dental Associates for more information.

Mouthwashes have been marketed for years as solutions for breath problems, but most only mask the problem for a short time. Alcohol-based mouthwashes can make matters worse as alcohol will dry out your mouth which permits the bacteria to flourish. At your next appointment, be sure to ask Dr. Crete which mouthwash is right for you. A combination of professional cleanings, correct mouthwash and tongue scraping in addition to your everyday oral hygiene procedures will be a great combination to combat halitosis.