Chronic bad breath that is not caused by gum disease or tooth infection is often treated with chemical mouthwashes that work to destroy volatile sulfur compounds in the mouth (VSCs). In most cases, these at-home chemical treatments are used in conjunction with professional dental services to help keep bacteria at bay. Unfortunately, harsh chemicals may be dangerous for your systemic health and often fail to produce lasting results, requiring continual use for positive effects.
As an alternative to chemical treatments, tongue scraping is a simple and effective method of reducing VSCs. In fact, a recent study conducted by the NIH has found that tongue scraping removes up to 30% more VSCs than brushing alone. When combined with daily brushing and flossing along with other holistic dental practices such as oil pulling, tongue scraping can serve as a very effective way to control bad breath and reduce the overall bacterial load in the mouth.
Beaverton dentist Dr. Michael Negru believes that natural options are often the best defense against both oral and systemic health problems. During your next appointment he would be happy to discuss holistic dental practices to help you integrate those best suited to meet your needs into your daily routine.
To schedule your next appointment with Dr. Negru, please contact Bright Smile Dental Care today. Located in Beaverton, we welcome patients from Aloha, Hillsboro, and all surrounding Oregon communities.
