Bad breath after a tooth extraction is a common problem for those who have undergone any dental procedure. Also known as post-operative or oral wound healing problems, the condition arises due to the breakdown of bacteria that thrive in the mouth. If you are suffering from bad breath after tooth extraction, don’t worry! It’s quite normal and can be easily managed with home remedies and simple lifestyle changes. Read on to know more about how to get rid of bad breath after tooth extraction at home:

How To Get Rid Of Bad Breath After Tooth Extraction?

Brush and Floss Everyday

Brushing and flossing are two of the most effective methods to get rid of bad breath. Brushing your teeth regularly helps remove food particles and plaque that accumulate on your teeth and gums. While brushing, be gentle so you don’t irritate your gums too much. Flossing removes food particles trapped between your teeth where brushing can’t reach. This can significantly reduce the risk of developing cavities and gum disease.

Use Mouthwash

Mouthwash helps kill bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Dentists recommend using mouthwash at least 2-3 times a day. However, you should check the ingredients in the mouthwash to make sure it won’t irritate your gums. Some mouthwashes contain alcohol, which dries out your mouth and can worsen your bad breath problem. To prevent gum irritation and promote wound healing, use saltwater mouthwash instead of the regular store-bought variety. Saltwater mouthwash has antibacterial properties and is safe to use even if you have broken gum.

Consume Sugary Foods

We all know excessive consumption of sugary foods can lead to cavities and tooth decay. But did you know that sugar can also lead to bad breath? When you eat sugary foods — especially something like chocolate — your saliva production is reduced. This makes it harder for you to clean your teeth and gums. Bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar and produce a foul odor. To get rid of bad breath after tooth extraction, try cutting down on your sugar intake. If you can’t resist the temptation, try eating sugar-free candies instead. You could also try chewing on sugar-free gum. Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, increases saliva flow, and washes away the foul-smelling odor caused by the sugar in your mouth.

Chew on Sugar-Free Gum

We have already mentioned that chewing on sugar-free gum helps get rid of bad breath. But did you know that gum also helps prevent dry sockets? Dry sockets occur when the blood vessels inside your tooth aren’t able to heal properly. This causes excruciating pain and affects your overall recovery. When you use chewing gum, it stimulates the blood flow in your gums and teeth, which promotes healing.

Ask Your Dentist For Analgesics

Tooth extraction is an extremely painful procedure and can also cause post-operative pain. There are certain analgesics and painkillers that can help you manage the pain. But they can also cause dry mouth and worsen bad breath. If you’re experiencing pain after tooth extraction, it’s important to ask your dentist if it’s safe to use pain medication. If your dentist advises you to take pain medication, you could try sipping on water with a few tablespoons of baking soda in it. Baking soda helps neutralize the acid in your mouth and reduces your risk of developing bad breath.

What Causes Bad Breath After Tooth Extraction?

Bad breath after a tooth extraction is caused by the breakdown of bacteria that thrive in the mouth. The breakdown of the bacteria gives rise to a foul smell, which is termed bad breath. In this article, we are going to discuss five reasons for bad breath after tooth extraction:

1. Wound healing problems: If you have undergone any dental procedure such as a root canal or tooth extraction, your body might take some time to heal and recover from the wound. During this period, you might experience bad breath or other related oral problems such as dry mouth, which can be quite disturbing for you.

2. Dry mouth: Dry mouth is one of the most common causes of bad breath after tooth extraction. Dry mouth occurs due to decreased saliva production in your body and results in reduced cleaning of your mouth and tongue, thus leading to foul smell or bad breath on a regular basis.

3. Allergic reaction: Bad breath can also be caused by an allergic reaction such as a reaction to food or medication that you are taking at present or have taken recently. You might feel an intense burning sensation in your throat and tongue when having these allergies and this burning sensation can lead to a foul smell in your mouth too!

4. Bad diet habits: Bad diet habits are also one of the leading causes of post-operative oral wound healing problems like bad breath after tooth extraction! When you eat unhealthy foods such as junk food and fast food on a regular basis, they lead

How Does Bad Breath After Tooth Extraction Feel?

In most cases, bad breath after a tooth extraction is not severe enough to cause any foul odor in the mouth. However, it is important to keep a check on it so that it doesn’t turn into a chronic condition. Bad breath after tooth extraction can feel similar to the bad breath caused by other dental issues. The intensity of the symptoms, however, can vary from person to person. The signs and symptoms of bad breath after a tooth extraction include: 

• Bad taste in the mouth:  If you taste a foul taste in your mouth even after washing your mouth with water, it could be a sign of bad breath. 
•  Dry mouth:  Excessive dryness in your mouth is a common symptom of bad breath after tooth extraction. Your mouth may feel dry even after taking the recommended amount of water.
•  Tongue discoloration:  Bad breath after tooth extraction can cause discoloration on your tongue. This is one of the most common signs of bad breath after tooth extraction.

Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Bad Breath After Tooth Extraction

Bad breath after tooth extraction can be easily managed with a few at-home remedies. Make sure to follow these simple tips and tricks to get rid of bad breath after tooth extraction: 

1. Brush your teeth after every meal – This is the most common yet the most effective way to combat bad breath after tooth extraction. Brushing your teeth after every meal helps you maintain a clean mouth and prevents gingivitis and other dental issues. 
2. Use a mouthwash daily- Using mouthwash is another effective way to prevent dental issues. Make sure to choose an alcohol-free mouthwash to prevent dryness in the mouth. 
3.  Eat a healthy diet – A healthy diet is the foundation of good oral health. Eating foods rich in calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B6 will help you combat bad breath after tooth extraction. 
4. Practice proper oral hygiene – A healthy mouth can help you prevent bad breath. Make sure to floss your teeth once a day and use a mouthwash to keep your mouth clean and smelling fresh.

Tips To Combat Bad Breath After Tooth Extraction

Apart from following the above-mentioned home remedies, here are a few tips that will help you combat bad breath after tooth extraction: 

•  Brush your teeth twice a day:  Brushing your teeth twice a day (once in the morning and once in the evening) with fluoride-rich toothpaste is the best way to maintain dental health. 
•  Floss and use interdental brushes: This is one of the most important oral hygiene practices that are often missed. Make sure to floss once in a day to remove food particles and other debris that can lead to dental issues.
•   Practice good dietary habits:  Eating foods rich in calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B6 will help you combat bad breath after tooth extraction. 
•  Visit your dentist regularly: A regular dental checkup can help you identify and treat minor dental issues before they turn into major problems. 
• Take care of your health: A healthy body is the best way to combat bad breath after tooth extraction. Make sure to get a good amount of sleep and drink plenty of water.

Conclusion

Bad breath after a tooth extraction is a common dental issue that can be easily managed with a few at-home remedies. Make sure to follow these simple tips and tricks to get rid of bad breath after tooth extraction: Bad breath after a tooth extraction is usually caused by the breakdown of bacteria in the mouth. This can be easily managed by brushing your teeth after every meal and using mouthwash twice a day. Bad breath after tooth extraction can be easily managed with a few at-home remedies. Make sure to follow these simple tips and tricks to get rid of bad breath after tooth extraction: Brush your teeth after every meal, use mouthwash daily, eat a healthy diet, practice proper oral hygiene, and visit your dentist regularly to keep your mouth healthy and fresh!