Change your breath from bad to good

Change your breath from bad to good

What Causes Bad Breath?

The worst part about bad breath is not knowing you have it!. Fortunately, this problem is often easy to fix.

About 80% of bad breath comes from the mouth. Cavities or gum disease can lead to bad breath, as can tonsils that have trapped food particles; cracked fillings, and less-than-clean dentures. Several medical conditions can also cause your breath to go downhill fast. They include diabetes, liver disease, respiratory tract infections, and chronic bronchitis. You’ll want to see your doctor to rule out things like acid reflux, postnasal drip, and other causes of chronic dry mouth.


Dr. Rochon, can you give us tips on how to avoid bad breath?

Good oral hygiene is key to fighting bad breath. Ideally, you should brush and floss after every meal to help reduce the odor-causing bacteria in your mouth. Use an electric toothbrush if possible. It is best for two reasons. It has a timer on it to help people brush the right length of time, and it distributes a uniform motion which will remove plaque more efficiently.

  • Use a mouthwash with antiseptic or antibacterial properties.
  • Watch What You Eat. What you eat affects what you exhale. As food is digested, it’s absorbed into your bloodstream and then is expelled by your lungs when you breathe.
  • Certain diets — such as extreme fasting and very low-carb diets — can give you bad-smelling breath.
  • Avoid garlic, onions, and some other spicy foods. Chronic garlic users cannot only have chronic bad breath, they also often have body odor.
  • Stay hydrated. If you can’t brush your teeth after a meal,drinking a lot of water can help speed up the process of cleaning harmful bacteria and debris from between your teeth.
  • Don’t drink too much coffee. coffee is a tough smell to get off the back of your tongue.
  • Don’t smoke or use other tobacco products.
  • Cut back on alcohol. Alcohol can lead to a dry mouth. Too much alcohol can make your breath foul for up to 10 hours after you finish drinking.
  • Chew 100% xylitol-sweetened gum after a meal. This will not only help with saliva flow and flush out food debris but also help reduce cavities.
  • Tempted to pick up a sugary mint as you leave your favorite restaurant? Don’t. The sugar will only sit on your teeth and make the problem worse.

Dr. Rochon’s final words about bad breath

To sum up, 80% of the battle is fought with good oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist. If your mouth is impeccably clean and you still have bad breath, then you must rule out any underlying medical conditions that could make your breath less than pleasant .

Your Style Begins With Your Smile!