Your Guide to Fresh Breath in Seattle

If your breath has ever been the cause of unwanted attention or embarrassment, you know all-too-well just how important it can be to maintain fresh breath.

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be embarrassing if you have it, as well as awkward and uncomfortable for those around you. Bad breath can often linger for too long because people don’t know they have it and others are afraid to tell them.

Fortunately, bad breath is typically a problem that is easy to fix. With a trip to your dentist, a proper diagnosis and treatment can give you the fresh breath you and everyone around you would prefer. At Jahyun Koo DDS, we are ready to help. So, keep reading and then call our Seattle, WA dentist’s office today at 206-922-4573.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Several factors can contribute to bad breath. Below are the most common culprits:

  • Specific foods and drinks – Certain foods like garlic and onions allow odor-causing food particles to enter your bloodstream and then your lungs where they give your breath quite a stench.
  • Coffee – A strong cup of coffee can lead to bad breath both because of its intense flavor and the decline in saliva production it causes.
  • Alcohol – Alcohol consumption can also cause bad breath because it causes a decrease in saliva production.
  • High-sugar diets – Because the bacteria in your mouth feed off sugar, a diet high in sugar will often lead to bad breath.
  • High-protein, low-carb diets – High-protein, low-carb diets like the popular Keto Diet commonly cause bad breath because of changes to the body’s metabolism, as well as the sulfurous gases that can sometimes be released when high-protein foods aren’t metabolized fully.
  • Smoking or tobacco use – Tobacco products are known causes of bad breath as well as more serious oral health problems. In addition to lingering odors, tobacco also damages the gum tissue, leading to gum disease.
  • Digestive issues – Digestive issues like constipation or bowel disorders can have an unfortunate effect on your breath.
  • Dry mouth – Saliva is important to keep your mouth clean by washing away food particles and bacteria that contribute to bad breath. When not enough saliva is produced, bad breath is a common result.
  • Prescription medication – Hundreds of prescription medications are known to cause dry mouth which then leads to bad breath. This uncomfortable symptom is common and easily treated with the right amount of attention.

See Your Dentist for Fresh Breath

Since this is an oral health issue, the only guaranteed fix for bad breath can be found at your dentist’s office. At Jahyun Koo DDS, we regularly treat patients with complaints of bad breath.

Before we determine the best way to treat your bad breath, we must first figure out what’s causing it. For some people, it’s as simple as brushing and flossing after each meal. Whereas other people may need the help of an oral rinse or a more dramatic diet change if they truly want fresher breath.

To figure out what’s causing the stench on your breath, call Jahyun Koo DDS today at 206-922-4573 to schedule an appointment. During your phone call, mention your concerns about your breath and we will be sure to address it as quickly as possible. Call us today!