Should I avoid using breath spray to treat bad breath?

Breath spray, mints or mouthrinses are generally cosmetic and do not have a long-lasting effect on bad breath. If you must constantly use a breath freshener to hide unpleasant mouth odor, see your dentist. He or she can help identify the cause and, if it’s due to an oral condition, develop a treatment plan to help eliminate it.

You should avoid breath spray to treat bad breath. A breath spray just covers up your bad breath and does not treat the condition. Also, if the breath spray contains alcohol, it may actually contribute to your bad breath because alcohol will dry your mouth. An unusually dry mouth can cause bad breath.

A breath spray or rinse shouldn't substitute for good brushing and flossing habits. You should brush your teeth, gums, and tongue after each meal. Make sure you floss every day to remove bacteria and food particles around your gums. By removing bacteria and food particles from your mouth, you will help to eliminate the cause of bad breath and not just cover it up.