Do You Have Halitosis?
Have you notice or has someone told you that you have bad breath? Halitosis (bad breath) can embarrass you. It can also affect how other people think about you. Here are some of the most common causes of bad breath.
Bacteria
Food particles left in your mouth after a meal combine with bacteria to create a bad odor. Bacteria often collect on the rough surface of your tongue.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is an infection of the gums. The infection can cause a bad breath problem.
Dry Mouth
Saliva cleanses your mouth, washing away many odor-causing bacteria. A dry mouth means to little saliva. This can lead to a bad breath problem. Your mouth may become dry while you sleep, when you don’t drink enough fluids, or because of certain medications.
Certain Foods
Some types of food and drink can cause bad breath. These may include but are not limited to garlic, onions, fish, cabbage, coffee, and alcohol. Sometimes just watching what and when we eat certain foods can help control the problem
Tobacco
Smoking or chewing tobacco can make your breath smell badly. This bad breath stays with you even when you are not smoking or chewing.
Other Causes
There are other causes of bad breath. Braces, dentures, and other mouth gear may smell if not kept clean. Certain medications and medical problems may lead to a breath problem. Sinus problems that cause a drainage into the throat, may lead to mouth odor. In general, bad breath becomes more of a problem as you age.
The Dentist Can Help!
We can look for a cause of your specific breath problem that can be treated. When the cause is found, treatment may improve your breath
Finding the Cause
Some people think that they have a breath problem when they don’t. First we need to confirm that you have a breath problem. Then we need to look at the causes. We will check you for gum disease and ask questions about the foods you eat, medications that you take and how you take care of your mouth and teeth.
Possible Treatments
If a problem such as gum disease is found, we can help and treat it. Sometimes, no specific cause is found for your breath problem. Even in these cases, we can suggest things that can be done to help control and fight your breath problem.
What You Can Do.
You can do some simple things to help avoid a breath problem. First, brush after every meal and floss at least once a day. Then try some of the following tips:
-Brush your tongue. Brush your tongue or use a special tongue scraper to clean off food and odor-causing bacteria. Brush or scrape as far back as you can.
-Keep a Moist Mouth. Drink plenty of water and rinse your mouth with water every so often to keep saliva flowing.
-Make Diet Changes. Try to avoid foods that can cause bad-smelling breath.
-Stop Smoking. If you smoke or chew tobacco, quit! You will be amazed how much better your breath will smell. We can make some suggestions to help you stop smoking.
-Ask Us About Mouth Rinses. Most over the counter mouth rinses only cove up bad breath for a very short time. However, we may suggest rinses that can help kill the odor causing bacteria that can contribute to a breath problem.
Fresh and Healthy Breath.
If there is no underlying medical condition, you can usually achieve fresh smelling breath. Practice good oral hygiene and see us regularly to keep you breath smelling great. |
