Last month we talked about the importance of home care, and both brushing and flossing. For example, flossing is crucial. In fact, if you don’t floss, even if you are a perfect brusher, you only clean 60% of your teeth. So without flossing, you’re getting a D as a oral hygiene grade.
But, why do people have bad breath, even if they have good home care (and floss)?
Really, bad breath is a result of bacteria in the mouth. Various strains (or types) of bacteria exist in the mouth. It is a perfect place to grow bacteria, because it is warm, dimly lit, and there is a nearly steady stream of food. And if your mouth is populated with “bad” bacteria, even if you floss and brush, your mouth will build up bacteria quickly, which can lead to bad breath.
There are many products out there which claim to reduce bad breath quickly, and they can mostly be fit into four categories (other than brushing and flossing): gum, mints, mouthwash, and toothpaste. Gum and mints reduce bad breath by increasing saliva flow, which “washes” away bacteria. Toothpaste has abrasive and some soap mixed in so in conjunction with a toothbrush it also “washes” away bacteria.
Mouthwash is not a substitute for brushing and flossing, but can help some people. For example, products by CariFree (http://www.carifree.com/) can actually help convert the bad bacteria to better bacteria, which are less likely to cause bad breath. Over-the-counter products such as Listerine are also good, but the ingredients change so frequently, it is hard to make a recommendation.
As always, consult with your dentist before making any significant changes in your home care.