Hablamos Español (opens in a new tab)

305-447-1447
Contact Us

Dr. John Paul Gallardo

Periodontics and Implant Dentistry

  • About
    • Meet Dr. Gallardo
    • Our Office
    • Our Bilingual Office
    • In The News
    • What Are My Options?
    • Why us
    • Location
  • Dental Emergency
  • Services
    • Dental Implants
      • Implants Overview
      • Dental Implant Repair
      • Dentures Vs. Implants
      • Single Tooth Replacement
      • Multiple Teeth Replacement
      • Full Teeth Replacement
      • All-on-4® Implants
      • Metal-Free Dental Implants
      • Teethxpress
      • Implant Failure Treatment
    • Gum Treatments
      • The Pinhole Surgical Technique
      • Laser Periodontal Therapy
      • Alloderm
      • Non-Surgical Methods
      • Periodontal Plastic Surgery
    • Cosmetic & Hygiene
      • Dental Crown Lengthening
      • Laser Gum Depigmentation
      • Lip Repositioning
      • Teeth Cleaning
      • Invisalign
      • Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics
      • Professional Teeth Whitening
    • Oral Surgery
      • Bone Grafting
      • Jaw Surgery
      • Treatment Options
      • TMJ Disorder
      • Wisdom Teeth Removal
    • Technology Offered
      • Plasma Rich Growth Factors
      • Sedation Dentistry
      • Oral Cancer Screening
      • Oral DNA Testing
    • Endodontics
      • Dental Bridges
      • Dental Crowns
      • Full & Partial Dentures
      • Root Canal Treatment
      • Tooth Extraction
  • Photos
  • Reviews
    • RealSelf Reviews
    • Online Reviews
    • Solution Reach Reviews
    • Testimonial Videos
  • For Patients
    • Common Questions
    • Virtual Consultation
    • Out of Town Patients
    • Dental Financing
    • Dental Warranty
    • Educational Videos
    • Medical History Form (opens in a new tab)
    • Patient Referral
    • Pre & Post-Operative Instructions
    • Registration Form
    • Pay Your Bill Online
  • For Dentists
    • Patient Referral
    • Newsletter
    • Why You Should Trust Us
CALL
EMAIL

Getting a Handle on Bad Breath

What You Can Do About Bad BreathFrom time to time, everyone gets bad breath, or halitosis. But, when the unpleasant scent sticks around, even after brushing and flossing, it can be a sign of a more serious issue. Figuring out what’s behind bad breath is the first step in treating it. You might be able to take care of your breath issues on your own at home. If your halitosis is connected to a condition, such as gum disease, your best bet is to see a dentist for treatment of the condition and the bad breath.

What Causes It

A number of things can be behind your bad breath. In some cases, the unpleasant scent is connected to whatever you had for lunch or dinner. Food bits can get stuck in your teeth or gums, attracting odor-causing bacteria. In some cases, the scent comes not from food that’s in your mouth, but from food that your body is digesting. Certain foods, most notably garlic and onions, release odors as you digest them. The odor compounds travel to your lungs and mix with the air you exhale, giving you unpleasant breath. In some cases, the scent can linger for days, even after you’ve brushed and flossed.

Of course, not having the best oral care routine can also contribute to bad breath. If you don’t floss and brush regularly, bacteria can build up your mouth, releasing an putrid scent when you speak or breathe. Other habits, such as smoking or tobacco use, contribute to bad breath, too. The ingredients in cigarette smoke, such as nicotine and tar, can cling to your teeth, gums and tongue, giving bacteria a surface to hold on to.

Medical conditions can also lead to bad breath. If you’re dealing with dry mouth, for example, you might notice that your breath smells, as there isn’t enough saliva produced to whisk away bacteria or food particles. Bad breath can also be a sign of gum disease, as there is an ample amount of plaque and bacteria in the mouth.

What You Can Do

What you do to treat your bad breath depends on what is behind it. If the odor is related to the foods you eat, such as garlic, cabbage, or cheese, avoiding those foods or limiting the amount you eat can help. Quitting smoking can also help improve the scent of your breath.

Improving your mouth care routine at home can also help when it comes to halitosis. Brush your teeth after every meal, for at least two minutes. Floss at least once a day, or more if you notice that food tends to get stuck between your teeth. If you need a refresher on the best way to brush and floss, ask your dentist for a few pointers.

It’s also important to remember to clean and brush the tongue. Bacteria and food can coat the tongue, contributing to unpleasant breath. You can use your toothbrush to scrape or brush the tongue or invest in a tongue scraper, which is designed to pull the top layer of debris off of the surface of the tongue.

Working with your dentist is also important if you suffer from regular bad breath. Your dentist can detect any problems, such as gum disease, before they become very serious. If you do have gum disease, your dentist might recommend a periodontist to you, who specializes in the care and treatment of gum disease.

What About Gum or Mouthwash?

Typically, chewing sugarless gum or using mouthwash will give you minty fresh breath. But, gum and mouthwash usually only cover up bad breath. They don’t get to the root of the issue. It’s okay to chew gum (as long as it is sugar-free) or swish with mouthwash as a preventative measure or to give your breath that extra boost of freshness. But, neither will help cure halitosis in the long run and can actually keep you from getting the treatment you need to get the bottom of the problem.

If you are concerned about bad breath and think it might be related to untreated gum disease, seeing a periodontist for diagnosis and treatment is a must. In the Miami area, Dr. John Paul Gallardo specialize in the care and treatment of periodontal disease. They can help you get your breath and your smile back. To schedule an appointment with the periodontists, call (305) 447-1447 today.

Contact Us

  • By submitting this form I agree to the Terms of Use.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Before All-on-4 ® Dental Implants photo After All-on-4 ® Dental Implants photo
View more All-on-4 ® Dental Implants before and after photos

Reviews

  • My experience with Dr. Gallardo was great. I had no pain after my tooth extraction and bone grafting procedure. I was pleased with how fast my…

    • 5 stars
  • Amazing! Removed my 4 wisdom teeth, had no pain and didn't get swollen at all after.

    • 5 stars
  • I recently had a tooth extraction with bone graft. Dr. Gallardo was excellent! I'm so glad I found him online. My recovery went really smoothly…

    • 5 stars

Our Doctors Are Featured In

Modern Luxury Miami

Univision

Quick Links

  • About
  • Blog
  • Services
  • Gallery
  • Reviews
  • For Patients
  • Patient Referral
  • Contact Us

Contact Details

  • 2020 SW 27th Ave Miami,
    Florida 33145
  • 305-447-1447
Facebook (opens in a new tab) Twitter (opens in a new tab) Instagram (opens in a new tab) Youtube (opens in a new tab)

Location Map

Location Map(opens in a new tab)

Proud of our Reputation

RealSelf
Yelp
Healthgrades

© Copyright 2021. Dr. John Paul Gallardo. Periodontics and Implant Dentistry.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Sitemap (opens in a new tab)