You brush and floss every day. Maybe you also use a tongue scraper and gargle with mouthwash. But still, somehow, you’re aware of it, and so are others around you. Why can’t you stop suffering from bad breath?
According to research, over 50% of adults complain of chronic bad breath, and older adults are more prone to the problem.
Many people think there’s nothing they can do to prevent bad breath. AMBA is here to clear the air (literally!) of that misconception. The road to fresh breath can be very simple and straightforward. The first step to preventing bad breath starts with understanding the source of the offending odor.
Common Causes of Bad Breath
Food
Bad breath is often a temporary problem caused by eating certain foods. Garlic, onions, and various spices are among the usual suspects, as are alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and chewing tobacco. Preventing bad breath caused by these factors can be solved simply by avoiding the offensive substance.
In fact, many foods can help improve your breath. These include crunchy fruits and vegetables. These foods – such as apples, citrus fruits, carrots, and more – can help to fight bad breath in two ways. First, they scrub away plaque and bacteria from the teeth as you chew. Second, they stimulate saliva flow, which helps to rinse away odor-causing bacteria, sulfur compounds, and food debris. Chewing on fresh herbs like basil, parsley, and mint can also help to freshen the breath naturally.
Dry Mouth
Older adults frequently suffer from dry mouth, also known as xerostomia. Prescription medications cause more than 90% of dry mouth cases. Many common prescriptions can cause a decrease in salivary function. The resulting lack of sufficient saliva to wash away food debris can cause bacteria to accumulate. Dry mouth can also be an effect of autoimmune diseases, diabetes, or chemotherapy. Keeping your mouth moist can help prevent bad breath. Many older people rely on artificial saliva products. But sipping plenty of water throughout the day and sucking on sugarless lozenges or candy can help, too.
Gum Disease
If you don’t brush your teeth regularly and thoroughly, bacterial plaque can begin to collect on your teeth and gums, leading to gum disease. The risk of gum (periodontal) disease increases with age: 70% of adults 65 and older in the U.S. suffer from the condition.
One of the first warning signs of gum disease is bad breath. As gum disease progresses, the severity of the odor increases due to inflamed gum tissue and excessive bleeding.
Treatment for periodontal disease can help eliminate bad breath. Your dentist will likely first remove tartar deposits so that the gums can heal. Ask your dentist what steps you can take in your home care routine to reduce the bacteria in your mouth and prevent it from accumulating again.
Artificial Teeth
Bacterial plaque can affect dentures, bridges, and crowns as much as natural teeth, so regular oral cleaning remains as crucial as ever. One effective way to remove plaque from dentures is to take out your dentures daily and clean them with the appropriate cleansers. Likewise, food and bacteria can also become trapped under fixed crowns and bridges. Clean under your bridge or crown with the floss threaders or small interdental brushes.
If you regularly experience bad breath, talk with your dentist about potential underlying conditions. Problems such as gingivitis, cavities, or tonsil stones could also cause bad breath. Your dental professional is best suited to diagnose oral health and hygiene problems. It’s just one more reason why regular checkups are so important. AMBA and your association can help you keep your mouth healthy with a Dental Plan that includes coverage for routine cleanings and many procedures, including fillings, crowns, implants, and more. Even better, there is NO WAITING PERIOD for covered services! Sign up now at www.AMBAdentalvision.com or call 866-979-0497 Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm CT.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9157195
https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2015/04/grandma-your-breath-smells-funny
