Meet Johnny. He’s been best friends with Bobby for years and years. One thing has progressed since they’ve known each other—Bobby’s bad breath. Although Johnny is one of Bobby’s closest friends, he’s nervous to tell him that his breath is less than fresh. One day, he mustered up enough courage to hint that Bobby should visit his dentist more often.

This may be one of the best things that Johnny could have done for his friend. It can be a sensitive subject for many people, but chronic bad breath is more than a stinky inconvenience—it can be your mouth sending a red flag to you that something is wrong.

If the short story about Johnny and Bobby resonates with you, your dentist in Norwalk is here to explain the real reasons behind bad breath and why you should tell your friends about it as soon as possible.

4 Reasons for Bad Breath

Dry Mouth

Saliva is a major component to keeping your mouth fresh as well as hydrated. It naturally neutralizes acids in your mouth, keeping your teeth cleaner and your breath crisp.

Tobacco Use

Believe it or not, any use of tobacco can affect your oral health. Chewing tobacco can leave particles on within the mouth and smoking tobacco can linger in your lungs, causing your breath to smell even hours later!

Periodontal Disease

Bad breath is one of the major signs of developing gum disease. If you have bad breath more than just a few hours and even after you brush your teeth, you should seek help from a dentist.

Bad Home Hygiene

It’s critical to remove leftover food on your teeth, along the gum line, and in hidden crevices in your mouth. Leaving the food in and around your mouth can lead to an unpleasant stench.

Fix Your Chronic Bad Breath

Here are a few dental tips that can help you improve chronic bad breath:

• Be sure to properly brush your teeth. Make sure you’re brushing at least twice a day for two minutes per session. Removing harmful dental bacteria and lingering debris can be the determining factor to how your breath smells.
• Keep hydrated. You know it’s important to drink water for an overall healthy body—this includes your mouth, too! By drinking enough water, your body will naturally generate all the saliva it needs to remove some of your lingering dental debris.
• Eat healthy, nutritious foods. Many may not realize how eating healthier can affect your oral health. Typically, healthy foods like fruits and vegetables have a natural crunch that helps to scrub the teeth while eating. Not to mention they’re packed with vitamins to help keep your whole body healthy and your breath smelling good.

You or your friends don’t have to suffer from bad breath when you regularly visit your dentist. If you or a close friend have uninviting breath, you should tell them right away!

About Our Office

Here at Sommers Family Dentistry, we don’t want you to feel uncomfortable communicating your dental issue. We understand that many people avoid the dentist because they’re embarrassed or fearful. With us, you can trust that we will openly communicate with you about your oral health and how we can improve it with an open mind and free of judgement. Feel free to call our office to receive the dental care your smile deserves.