No one wants to have bad breath, but sometimes it happens. Bad breath (halitosis) can be caused by an assortment of reasons, including:

• Having dry mouth
• The medication you’re taking
• The types of foods that you eat
• Smoking and chewing tobacco

A lot of bad breath problems can be fixed with improved dental hygiene habits. If food particles are left between your teeth, bacteria growth can increase, causing you to have bad breath. Make sure to brush twice a day, for at least two minutes and floss regularly. This will help to clean out any food that might be left behind from your meals.

Consistent halitosis can also be a sign of other health problems. Gum disease and tooth decay can cause you to have constant bad breath, for example, regardless of how often you brush your teeth. Another cause of recurring or consistent halitosis could be tonsil stones. Tonsil stones are hard deposits of debris that have become lodged in your tonsils. These deposits can harbour bacteria, causing bad breath. These stones are mostly harmless and become dislodged themselves.

If you have consistent halitosis, contact your dentist to discuss possible causes and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Our dentists would be happy to help, book an appointment today at either of our Winnipeg locations.