Bad Breath Remedies

Bad Breath Remedies

Bad breath is an embarrassing ailment that affects many people. Sometimes bad breath is a temporary side effect of especially stinky food, other times it’s a chronic issue that never seems to go away. At our dental office in Alexandria, we have a few helpful tips that may help remedy bad breath with a little bit a time and diligence.

Brush Up on Your Brushing

Brushing our teeth has been a habit since we were young. And when we do something that’s so simple for so long, it’s easy to skimp on doing a thorough job. Start brushing with a purpose, paying attention that you’re cleaning each surface of every tooth using gentle circles. Two minutes of proper brushing twice a day can do wonders for fighting bad breath.

Drink Plenty of Water

Being properly hydrated isn’t only great for your body, it’s incredibly beneficial for your mouth too. A hydrated mouth helps rid your mouth of bad breath germs and bacteria by washing it away.

Quit Smoking

Immediately following a cigarette, bad breath is guaranteed. However, this ‘smoker’s breath’ can last hours after smoking. The lungs and the throat can hold on to stinky smoke particles, releasing them into the air with every breath. Quitting isn’t only a great way to get fresher breath, it’s best for your overall health.

See Your Dentist

Regular visits to your Alexandria dentist are they best way to combat bad breath. Professional dental cleanings remove stuck on tartar and bacteria that can’t be touched with at-home brushing. You should see your dentist twice a year, perhaps more if you need more thorough, deep cleanings.  

When Bad Breath Gets Serious

You can try every trick in the book to alleviate bad breath, and even then it may not disappear. If this is the case, it may be a sign of something more. Bad breath could be a symptom of:

  • Gum Disease
  • Pneumonia
  • Sinus Infection
  • Diabetes
  • Liver or Kidney Problems

If you’ve been living with the embarrassment of bad breath and are ready to fix it, start by scheduling an appointment at our Alexandria dental office. We’ll work with you to determine its cause and talk about the best way to get you back to freshness.

Welcoming patients from Alexandria, Old Town, Del Ray.

About The Author
Dr. Geoff Caligan

Dr. Geoffrey Caligan is a Fellow at the Academy of General Dentistry. He boasts specialized implant training from experts at the Triangle Institute in North Carolina. Aside from general dentistry, he is experienced in unique treatments such as dental implant placement and restoration, Invisalign orthodontics, and TMD/TMJ therapy. Dr. Caligan aims to offer general and specialty dental care with flexible and affordable options.