Are You Valentine’s Day Ready?

-
Related image
Don't Let Bad Breath Ruin Date Night

There are many different things that can contribute to having bad breath!  Some causes might be obvious like which foods you may be eating or having poor oral hygiene, but some might not be so evident. If you have date night or an important event coming up, here are some tricks to help you keep your breath fresh.

Common Foods to Avoid:
Garlic or Onions - The distinctive smell is caused by sulfur-containing chemicals in the garlic and onion. The smell can linger on a person's breath for hours and even overnight.

Dairy - Naturally occurring bacteria from your tongue feeds on the amino acids in milk and cheese, which can result in an odor that is foul.

Coffee - The caffeine in coffee can actually dry out your mouth by slowing saliva production which can be a trigger for bad breath

Image result for things bad for your breath



This should be a little more obvious for most, but staying on top of your oral hygiene is the easiest way to keep your breath fresh. Make sure you are cleaning your dentures and other dental appliances as often as recommended by your regular dentist. Get in the routine of flossing and brushing your teeth twice daily to maintain overall dental hygiene.





Here are a couple things you might not realize affect your breath...
Related image
Medications - There are over 400 different medications that are known to cause "Dry Mouth," also  known as xerstomia, which will in turn cause bad breath.  Some of the most common medications that treat cancer, high blood pressure, depression, allergies or even the common cold can contribute to bad breath.

Periodontal Disease - Periodontal disease can cause a bad taste in your mouth and/or cause you to have bad breath due to a build up of plaque on your teeth.
Tobacco - Smoking or chewing tobacco can cause bad breath, possibly stain your teeth, and irritate your gums.

All in all, it's easy to keep your breath fresh for your special night! Just take the proper steps to maintain your oral hygiene and stay away from any foods listed above that can contribute to bad breath. 


~Cyrus M. Larson, DMD

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Is Fluoride Good or Bad?

-
Image
Fluoride.  One of the heavily debated topics of dentistry.  I have read a lot of information on both sides of the story. I'll start out by saying from the research I've done and the evidence I've seen as a dentist I am pro-fluoride.  As with most things fluoride is useful in moderation. (For studies and more information on fluoride click here .) Even water can be “toxic” in high enough doses. High levels of fluoride can cause dental or skeletal fluorosis. Dental fluorosis occurs from very high levels of fluoride as a child and results in mottling (spotting) of the teeth (and no cavities). (Click  here for more information on fluorosis.)  My patients that grow up in areas with high fluoride exposure often have NO cavities into their 20's, 30's and 40's. Fluoride is  found naturally in most water sources. The amount and concentration of naturally occurring fluoride in water is due to different types of soils and rocks found around a water source. Flu...
Read more

Why are my teeth sensitive?

-
Image
Happy Independence Day! Nothing says summer more than celebrating our freedom with fireworks and ice cream! For those of you who just cringed at that sentence, it may be because the thought of having something cold hit your teeth sends preliminary phantom pains into the nerves of your teeth. If that's the case, you probably have sensitive teeth. There are a few different reasons why you might have sensitive teeth, but the good news is you can treat it!  Possible Causes: Cavities Gum Recession (Exposed Roots) Worn Enamel Fractured Teeth The treatment depends on the cause, so it is important to discuss with your dentist your sensitivity issues. The fix may be as easy as switching toothpaste! When worn enamel is the culprit, using a toothpaste targeted towards sensitivity can help with symptoms. I personally recommend Sensodyne brand. Sensitive toothpastes work because they contain potassium nitrate which calms your tooth's nerves and help...
Read more