Good Fixes for Bad Breath

Whether it’s your dream job interview, a first date with “the one,” or a conference with your child’s teacher, when we’re within “bad breath” distance of someone we are trying to impress, we’ll do just about anything to ensure the odor from the garlic pizza we had for dinner does not come out to pay a visit.

Dr. Jeffrey Rappaport, a general dentist and co-founder of Afora in New York City, said that bad breath, or halitosis, can be caused by a variety of factors. One of the major contributors to how our breath smells is poor oral health.

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“This includes plaque, decay, and gum disease,” Rappaport told LifeZette. “However, it can also indicate other medical issues occurring in the body — allergies, respiratory infections, acid reflux,” he added.

Rappaport also pointed out that people who are on many medications may experience xerostomia, better known as severe dry mouth.

“With limited saliva production, the mouth is unable to properly self-clean,” he said. “Xerostomia can also be a symptom for patients who are mouth breathers. It is recommended to seek advice because these people may also be at risk for sleep apnea.”

Additionally, illnesses or sinus problems can often be the source of smell. Gum disease, caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth, is another cause of bad breath. Another contributing factor many people don’t consider is a yeast infection in the mouth. Also called oral thrush, it occurs when a yeast infection develops on the inside of the mouth and on your tongue.

Even flossing followed by a shot of mouthwash won’t do the trick for this one.

And while some halitosis can be expected of all of us (can you say morning breath?), our food choices are probably the first thing that come to mind when we try to identify the source of bad breath. Eating foods with strong odors can cause the smell in your mouth to stick around until the foods have completely passed through the body. Even flossing followed by a shot of mouthwash won’t do the trick for this one. Some of the worst culprits include onions, fish, garlic, coffee, canned tuna, horseradish, alcohol and dairy.

Rappaport has years of experience in advising patients on the do’s and don’ts of preventing bad breath, but he always recommends the following strategies for trying to minimize halitosis.

Practice good oral hygiene. This should be your first defense against bad breath — twice daily brushing, flossing, and using a mouth rinse such as Listerine. We also recommend the use of a tongue scraper. You may notice after eating or your morning cup of coffee that your tongue becomes coated. Tongue scrapers gently remove bacteria from the surface of the tongue to help fresh breath.

Make regular trips to the dentist. You should be visiting your dental hygienist and dentist at least twice a year to thoroughly clean teeth, prevent or treat existing gum disease and check for decay. The dental team is also trained to identify other risk factors such as apnea and can prescribe more effective dry mouth rinses not available OTC.

Drink water. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day, especially for xerostomia sufferers, is important. You can chew sugar-free gum (or mints) after meals. This stimulates salivary production to cleanse the mouth.

Put down that cigarette. Stop smoking or chewing tobacco. This is easier said than done, we know. But these products are not only making your breath less than delightful — they’re also upping your risk for oral cancers and other serious health issues.

Sara Hermanson is a freelance writer in Washington State whose focus is health, wellness, fitness and parenting.