As implant dentists in Park Ridge, Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas are experts at restoring and maintaining our patients’ confidence in their smiles, usually in the form of comprehensive tooth replacements through one or more dental implants. However, tooth loss isn’t the only dental affliction that can diminish your smile’s confidence. Today, we explore common causes behind one of the most embarrassing dental conditions—chronic bad breath—and how to help combat it.
Why Does Your Breath Smell?
Poor hygiene
Like tooth decay and gum disease, bad breath is often caused by inadequate dental hygiene. Though most people know to brush and floss their teeth at least twice a day, not everyone strictly adheres to the routine, which can allow dental plaque, bacteria, and food debris to accumulate on and around your teeth. In most cases, improving your oral hygiene routine can also improve your long-lasting bad breath.
Dental disease
Once a dental disease is allowed to develop, bad breath is often an accompanying symptom to the destruction of your oral tissues. If chronic bad breath persists in spite of strict adherence to good oral hygiene, then tooth decay and/or gum disease may have already developed. Be sure to visit your Park Ridge dentist’s office as soon as possible for a thorough examination and diagnosis.
Bad germs
Before dental health trouble can even manifest, the germs that collect within your mouth can foul your breath simply by accumulating and metabolizing. Certain oral bacteria release volatile sulfur compounds reminiscent of odors like rotten eggs and barnyards. Typically, brushing and flossing helps control your oral bacteria population, and you can increase this control by ensuring an adequate flow of saliva throughout your day. Drink plenty of water, and eat a well-balanced breakfast before brushing your teeth in the morning to restart your saliva production.
Improve All Aspects of Your Smile’s Confidence with Your Park Ridge Implant Dentists
Sometimes, chronic bad breath can be an indication of a more serious systemic health issue. If your morning breath follows you around for longer than it should, or if you’d like to learn more about improving the aspects of your smile’s confidence, schedule an appointment with your Park Ridge implant dentists by calling Loukas General Dentistry at (847) 696-1919. Located in the 60068 area, we proudly serve patients from Park Ridge and the surrounding Chicago communities.