The best way to avoid problems with halitosis or bad breath is to follow a regular routine of oral care, brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once daily. Most people will cup their hand over their mouth to see if their breath smells. You can also lick your inside wrist to see if your breath is less than pleasant. The nose will pick up the odor on your skin more easily, although this method does not always work.
Bad Breath Concerns
Concerns about bad breath occur for most people every now and then. For example, you may wake up after eating a spicy meal and worry about your breath. You may also experience cotton mouth, and worry about the scent your breath is sending. Because it is difficult to tell how your own breath smells, it is hard to make a self-diagnosis.
How to Know for Certain
While you can use the sense of smell to isolate odors, such as pleasant scents or dangerous emissions, your breath is another thing. Because you smell your own breath continually, you become accustomed to the scent. Also, the nose and mouth send signals back and forth through an opening at the back of the mouth. This makes it harder to smell your breath accurately. The best way to know for certain is to have your breath measured by us. We can check the intensity of halitosis by scraping the back of the tongue and rating the smell on a six- point scale. Also, tools, such as a halimeter (which detects low sulfur levels) and a BANA test (which measures an enzyme produced by halitosis germs) can be used for assessments.
If you suspect bad breath and need it identified, we can help. Give us a call today to have the problem professionally and diagnostically reviewed by our dental team.
Location
Northview Family Dental 1121 E. Westview Ct. Spokane, WA 99218-1319
The best way to avoid problems with halitosis or bad breath is to follow a regular routine of oral care, brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once daily. Most people will cup their hand over their mouth to see if their breath smells. You can also lick your inside wrist to see if your breath is less than pleasant. The nose will pick up the odor on your skin more easily, although this method does not always work.