How Do I Get Rid of Bad Breath?

The first step towards to getting rid of bad breath is to schedule a consultation with your dentist or periodontist to determine the underlying cause of your bad breath. Once the cause has been determined, a treatment plan can be developed to address your specific needs. Provided your bad breath is not due to an underlying health condition, the most important steps you can take to eliminate and/or reduce your risk of developing bad breath include:

  • Brush your teeth after every meal: If you are predisposed to halitosis, brushing your teeth twice daily, especially after you eat, will significantly reduce bad breath odors.
  • Brush properly and thoroughly: In addition to brushing frequently, it is also important to use proper brushing techniques and to brush all areas of your mouth, including your tongue, which can harbor odor-causing bacteria. A tongue scraper can also reduce overgrowth of bacteria and reduce bad breath smells. It is also important to replace your toothbrush every three or four months.
  • Floss regularly: Flossing removes plaque and food particles that can become trapped between your teeth and cause bad breath.
  • Clean dental appliances or dentures (if applicable):It is important for patients who wear dentures or a bridge to clean their appliance daily at a minimum. Patients with a mouth guard or retainer should clean their appliance prior to placing them back in their mouth.
  • Avoid dry mouth: Dry mouth is a common cause of bad breath and can develop due to tobacco use or excessive consumption of alcohol, soft drinks, and/or coffee. To avoid dry mouth, drink plenty of water and/or suck on sugarless candy or chew sugarless gum. Oral medications are also available for patients who have chronic dry mouth.
  • Be mindful of your diet: Avoiding sugary foods or pungent foods such as garlic or onions will reduce your risk of having bad breath.
  • Schedule regular checkups: It is important for all patients to schedule regular dental examinations every six months or with greater frequency if you have underlying oral health issues, such as gum disease, which is a common cause of bad breath. By scheduling these regular appointments, you will significantly reduce your risk of developing halitosis and improve your overall oral health.

Treatment options

If your bad breath persists after attempting these at home techniques, this may be an indication that your bad breath is the result of an underlying health condition, which will need to first be identified to determine what treatment option is necessary. Common underlying health conditions that can cause bad breath and the associated methods for treating these issues include:

  • Bowel obstruction:Halitosis caused by bowel obstruction may require emergency medical care, which can include bowel rest with IV fluids or surgical intervention. Following a surgical procedure, pain medication and/or antibiotics may be prescribed.
  • Vomiting:The treatment for halitosis caused by vomiting will depend on the underlying reason for vomiting, but may include IV fluids, anti-nausea medication, or simply waiting for the symptoms to pass.
  • Sinus infection:Bad breath caused by a sinus infection is typically treated with a combination of antibiotics and over-the-counter pain medication.
  • GERD:Halitosis caused by GERD can be managed with antacids, medications, proton pump inhibitors, and by following a modified diet. In certain cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the issue.
  • Ketoacidosis: There are a number of treatments that may be performed to normalize insulin and blood sugar levels, including electrolyte replacement, fluid replacement, and/or insulin therapy. If ketoacidosis was caused by an illness or infection, antibiotics may also be necessary.
  • Liver failure:Halitosis caused by liver failure may require a liver transplant for serious cases. For less severe cases, medication may be administered, and treatment may be provided to assist with alcohol dependence and making other lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and/or exercising regularly.

More on Bad Breath : Is Bad Breath a Sign of Illness?