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Bad breath is ruining my life. Help me!

Bad breath is ruining my life. Help me!

Is bad breath ruining your life? Are you having a difficult time dating because after your date realizes that you have bad breath they never call you back? Most likely, if the person you are kissing goodnight has an unfavorable smooching experience because of bad breath, odds are, you might not see that date again. What can you do to get rid of bad breath? Grab a mint and keep reading – we have some solutions to help.

Turn that frown upside down – you aren’t alone.

Are you brushing regularly? If you are concerned that other people can smell your bad breath, you might need to brush your teeth more often. When you don’t brush your teeth, you can become vulnerable to bad breath issues and gum disease. If gum disease is left untreated, it can lead to a harmful damage to the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth. Neglecting to brush your teeth can cause you to lose your teeth from periodontal disease caused by plaque buildup on your teeth.

You aren’t alone if you suffer from bad breath. Millions of people suffer from chronic halitosis, or bad breath. Most of the time, it is caused by a gum issue or bacteria on your tongue. The odor originates from food particles and bad bacteria waste left in the mouth. Poor hygiene can also lead to halitosis.

What’s that smell?

There are many reasons you could be suffering from bad breath. If you are suffering from tooth decay, bad breath can be the red flag prompting you to see a dentist. Understanding dental disease and how bacteria can cause harm to your mouth is critical to improving oral hygiene. There are billions of invisible bacteria clinging inside your mouth called microorganisms. The U.S. National Library of Medicine has identified 700 bacterial species in the oral cavity and of all of these strains; people are challenged by 100 different varieties during a lifetime, which cause tooth decay.

Certain foods, like bread and sugar cause the bacteria in our mouths to turn into acid, ultimately causing decay and cavities, which can all lead to bad breath. If you are worried that people will turn up their noses to the aroma of your breath, take a look at your gums as a possible cause. If you don’t brush your teeth, you are vulnerable to bad breath and gum disease. Many people suffer from gum disease, but left untreated, it can lead to severe tooth loss.

We’ve discussed poor hygiene habits, but sometimes bad breath is out of our control and not related to hygiene. Medical problems such as, diabetes, kidney failure or a liver disease can cause bad breath issues. Xerostomia (dry mouth), which is sometimes caused from prescription drugs, specific medical infections and tobacco products, can also contribute to bad breath troubles. Some cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy may experience dry mouth during and after treatment, which can also lead to bad breath. Check with your doctor if you suffer from any medical reasons that might cause bad breath issues.

Other causes of bad breath include certain foods, hormonal changes, sleep apnea issues and ongoing postnasal drip. This is caused by the mucus secretion of your throat that can cling to the tongue, which can eventually lead to halitosis. Foods that can cause bad breath include, garlic, onions and cabbage. Sure, you can avoid those foods at all costs or improve your dental hygiene and continue to enjoy them. Brushing, flossing, gargling with mouthwash and seeing a dentist regularly are key ingredients to a healthy dental routine.

How to help prevent bad breath

Make friends with your saliva because it is a critical ingredient in your mouth and helps maintain odor control. Saliva helps wash away food and bacteria.  Food and bacteria lodged between your teeth or clinging to your tongue are primary causes of halitosis. If you are having a sleep over, it is a good idea to brush your teeth before bed to help avoid “morning breath.” When we sleep, our saliva glands slow down and bacteria starts to build up in your mouth. Be careful not to blow your partner out of bed with a waft of a sour garlic and beer soufflé.

Good oral hygiene, such as brushing your teeth at least two times a day can help prevent bad breath, but consider using a tongue scraper to remove bad bacteria from your mouth, too. The bad bacteria and fungi that grow on your tongue can lead to dental problems and bad breath. This simple plastic tool can help remove unwanted food particles and bacteria build up by scraping the tongue after you brush.

Seeing a dentist can help provide a proper dental prognosis in order to detect the causes of your bad breath. A dentist can check your teeth, tongue and gums to help determine what type of treatment you need. Dental plans or dental insurance can help reduce the related costs of cleaning and regular checkups when you visit a dentist.

Nationwide network of dentists available

When you sign up for a dental plan or dental insurance, you will have a variety of dentists to choose from a network. A dental plan can help you lower the costs of dental treatment because dental plans offer a savings of 15%-50% on most dental procedures. A dental plan can help you save on routine checkups, X-Rays, and teeth cleaning, which may be the first step in alleviating bad breath issues. Choosing a dental plan over traditional dental insurance can help eliminate heavy paperwork and waiting periods to see a dentist. Dental plans have no such requirements or annual limits. If you want to get your love life back on track, a dentist can help relieve bad breath problems. Getting started is easy; simply sign up for your dental plan membership and enjoy the savings after enrollment.

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