“Help! I have bad breath,” he cried, keeping his hands firmly over his mouth and his face averted… If this sounds like an all-too-familiar horror story, perhaps it’s time to face the facts and find a treatment either at home or in the dentist’s chair at Growing Smiles of Voorhees. First off, it’s important that you don’t feel embarrassed! Halitosis (or bad breath) is incredibly common, and there are many ways to kick it to the curb. We all know that the best way to combat bad breath is proper dental hygiene practices. You brush twice a day, floss daily, clean your tongue, avoid foods and beverages that can cause dental issues, but sometimes even with intense daily dental devotions, the halitosis lingers. About 90% of halitosis cases originate in the mouth. Intra-oral halitosis can be caused by super-stinky bacteria living in pockets on the back of the tongue, between teeth and gums, along the gum line, and on the back of the tongue. Odors are produced during the breakdown of proteins into amino acids, as well as by certain foods (like garlic and onions), tobacco use, infections, dry mouth, and some medications. Dry mouth in particular is a common problem that contributes to bad breath. Other than basic dental hygiene, the following home remedies have been found to be helpful:
Hydration and saliva flow are important to combat dry mouth and the accompanying halitosis. Keep your mouth moist and your saliva flowing with plenty of water and sugar-less gums and candies.
Swish away with mouthwash, but be careful what type you use. Many commercial mouthwashes are made with alcohol which can exacerbate dry mouth problems and other issues that commonly cause bad breath. Your dentist can recommend several brands best suited to your individual needs.
Experiment with “oil pulling”, a technique that uses a beneficial oil, like coconut, to clean out the mouth further by swishing oil for 15-20 minutes. While scientific evidence of any other benefits of oil pulling is sketchy, it does help remove food particles missed in brushing and flossing while keeping the saliva flowing.
Chew on parsley and cilantro. There are several herbs that have been found to combat intra-oral and extra-oral (not based in the mouth) halitosis. Parsley and other herbs within the parsley family have been used for centuries as “palate-cleansers” battling bad breath at the source as well as in the system.
If home remedies aren’t helping, or if you develop other dental symptoms, or find the smell has altered for the worse, it is time to give Growing Smiles of Voorhees a call. Gum disease and infections should always be addressed by a professional, and even the best dental hygiene practices you do at home will benefit from a deep clean now and again! To make an appointment at Growing Smiles, gives us a call at 856-770-1770 or fill out a contact form here. We’d love to see you smile!
“Help! I have bad breath,” he cried, keeping his hands firmly over his mouth and his face averted… If this sounds like an all-too-familiar horror story, perhaps it’s time to face the facts and find a treatment either at home or in the dentist’s chair at Growing Smiles of Voorhees. First off, it’s important that you don’t feel embarrassed! Halitosis (or bad breath) is incredibly common, and there are many ways to kick it to the curb. We all know that the best way to combat bad breath is proper dental hygiene practices. You brush twice a day, floss daily, clean your tongue, avoid foods and beverages that can cause dental issues, but sometimes even with intense daily dental devotions, the halitosis lingers. About 90% of halitosis cases originate in the mouth. Intra-oral halitosis can be caused by super-stinky bacteria living in pockets on the back of the tongue, between teeth and gums, along the gum line, and on the back of the tongue. Odors are produced during the breakdown of proteins into amino acids, as well as by certain foods (like garlic and onions), tobacco use, infections, dry mouth, and some medications. Dry mouth in particular is a common problem that contributes to bad breath. Other than basic dental hygiene, the following home remedies have been found to be helpful: 
