Halitosis, the condition of chronic bad breath, is widely suffered by millions of Americans. More than just “morning breath”, halitosis is persistent odor that does not go away by brushing or rinsing with mouthwash. The good news is that it is treatable.
Causes for Halitosis
There are a number of causes for halitosis, and understanding these will help you combat the issue and maybe prevent further damage in the future.
Some of these causes include:
Food– Food getting trapped between teeth, in a tooth abscess or in bad dentures and stick with you, also creating a safe haven for bacteria to grow.
Poor Dental Hygiene– Just like above, not properly brushing and flossing will allow bacteria to grow, creating an odor.
Infection of the Mouth/Gum Disease– Looking at the first 2 on the list, you can see that there is a domino effect happening here. Infection & disease can cause halitosis, and food & poor dental hygiene can cause disease.
Dry Mouth– Saliva naturally cleans the mouth, so if your mouth is dry due to medications or illness, you could begin to experience halitosis.
Tobacco use– Cigarettes and tobacco products not only stain your teeth, but also contribute to bad breath and can cause gum disease.
Other causes of halitosis may include some types of cancers or metabolic diseases, reflux disease (GERD), nose/throat infections, low carb/high protein diets, or ketoacidosis.
What are the treatments?
First, evaluate your dental habits in regards to brushing, flossing and rinsing. Brushing your teeth alone is only 25% of the solution. Using a good mouthwash and floss recommended by your dentist will complete the process. Also consider brushing your tongue to remove bacteria and dead cells. Make sure that you are visiting your dentist for your regular checkups so that he can help with any concerns and also make sure that there isn’t something more serious occurring.
Next, follow up with a healthy & balanced diet and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water on a daily basis. And if you are a smoker or tobacco user, quitting your usage is always the best option for your overall health.
Still have questions? Schedule an appointment today for your checkup.
