Causes for Bad Breath

Bad breath, or halitosis, can have a negative impact on your social life. More importantly, it is an indication that something is wrong. It can be a symptom of a minor problem, or it could indicate that you have a major health disorder that needs to be addressed.

Getting rid of mouth odor temporarily is easily done. Stores have shelves full of products to help your breath smell better. Gum, mints, mouthwash, toothpaste with mouth wash and other products are plentiful. However, treating the symptom is not the same as treating the source of the problem.

Identifying the Cause

Many people with chronic bad breath are not aware of it. Unless someone mentions it to them, they can be clueless that there is a problem. Chronic halitosis is more serious than bad breath after eating onions or garlic. Although strong-smelling foods like that can cause temporary malodorous breath, if you have halitosis most of the time, you may have a health issue, oral or otherwise, that needs to be identified.

Besides certain foods, other possible causes for halitosis include:

• Poor dental hygiene – Brushing and flossing your teeth properly is important because this is the best way to get rid of the food particles left in your mouth after eating. Plaque accumulates on the teeth and it can irritate the gums and cause infection. Your tongue can also trap odor-producing bacteria. Dentures also need to be cleaned regularly to keep bacteria from causing odors.
• Dry mouth – This condition is on the rise with mask wearing. Dry mouth occurs when you breathe through your mouth. Saliva production is decreased with dry mouth, and this allows bacteria to thrive and cause bad breath. “Morning breath” is caused by mouth-breathing while you sleep. Chronic dry mouth can be caused by certain diseases, medications or a problem with salivary glands.
• Tobacco use – If you use tobacco products, you are likely to have bad breath. These products also contribute to gum disease, which is another source of bad breath.
• Other oral conditions – Halitosis can be caused by infections in the mouth such as dental decay, gum disease or sores in the mouth. It can also be caused by tonsil stones, small deposits of debris that have hardened in the tonsils. These little stones are covered with bacteria that cause odor. Postnasal drip can also cause bad breath.
• Other causes for chronic halitosis include metabolic disorders, gastric problems, acid reflux and some diseases, including certain cancers.

Identifying the source and treating the problem can eliminate your bad breath. Treatment for the problem depends on the cause.

Treatment For Halitosis

Your oral hygiene practices, when performed correctly, should help eliminate your bad breath. If it continues, seek help. If you have dry mouth, keep your mouth moist by drinking plenty of water. You can also chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless candy to stimulate saliva. Your dentist may recommend a saliva-stimulating product for chronic dry mouth.

Contact Feather Touch Dental Care for treatment of chronic halitosis and all your other dental needs. Call today to schedule an appointment with us.

Posted on Behalf of Feather Touch Dental Care