Posted

It’s not always easy to tell just how bad your breath is. How disconcerting it can be to lean in close to tell a friend a secret and see a look on their face that tells the tale. Your breath is horrible. They may be too polite to say anything, but the unpleasant expression they flashed, however briefly, was enough of a message. This can be frustrating if you’ve tried everything. Your house is full of different gums, mints, and toothpastes. You brush your teeth  twice a day just like you’re supposed to. But have you tried a good antibacterial mouthwash? Mansfield dentists, Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris, will tell you why you may want to add this to your next grocery list.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Bacteria is generally the cause of bad breath. Various elements can contribute such as what you eat and how hydrated you are. Your tongue is one of the favorite spots of germs in your mouth. As bacteria collect there, they produce various sulphur compounds, including hydrogen sulphide. The smell of sulphur can be best compared to rotten eggs. Many people find brushing their tongue or using a tongue scraper helpful in eliminating some bacteria, but if you have a sensitive gag reflex, this may be a very unpleasant concept. There is another way to kill bacteria on your tongue, however.

The Power of Antibacterial Mouthwash

Some mouthwashes only mask odors temporarily. Antibacterial rinses actually kill bacteria. A team of Cochrane Researchers ran a study of 293 participants who were exposed to various types of mouthwash, including placebos. Two antibacterial rinses – chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium – were significantly more effective at eliminating bad breath. Chlorine dioxide and zinc were types which provided very short term odor masking. So read your labels when you choose a mouthrinse, and seek one out which will evict those bacteria from your tongue and mouth.

About Your Mansfield Dentists

Mansfield Dental Associates provide gentle preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental care. If you would like to learn more or to schedule a consultation, call (817) 473-6227. Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.