According to Medical News Today, bad breath affects one in four people worldwide. Bad breath can be socially embarrassing and hurt your relationships, besides causing you anxiety worrying about what people may think about you. While certain health conditions, foods, and habits cause halitosis, the clinical name for bad breath, you can improve your condition with proper dental and oral care. Rather than endlessly buying chewing gum and mouthwash, you will do well to visit a dentist if simple care at home does not resolve the issue.
Typical Causes of Bad Breath
Food: Certain foods with strong smells, like onion, garlic, and spices can cause your breath to smell. They enter your bloodstream and your lungs after you eat and digest them. Also, food debris in your mouth breaking down can cause bad breath. You may have an unpleasant mouth odor if you smoke or chew tobacco. You are more likely to have gum disease, a leading cause of bad breath.
Poor dental hygiene: Food particles can remain in your mouth if you do not rinse your mouth after eating and brush and floss your teeth. If not brushed away, a colorless and sticky bacterial film called plaque can form on your teeth which can ultimately cause bad breath. Your tongue can also be a bacteria magnet causing bad breath.
Dry mouth: If you suffer from a dry mouth condition due to decreased saliva production, you may suffer from bad breath.
Infections, diseases, and medications: You can get bad breath if you suffer from gum disease, tooth decay, or mouth sores. According to bluecedardentistry.com, some medical conditions, like chronic inflammation of the sinus, throat, tonsils, etc., can also be responsible. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may also cause mouth odor. Certain medications can cause dry mouth or release chemicals that make your mouth smell bad.
Addressing a Bad Breath Issue
Treatment: The most effective method of treating bad breath is to identify its cause. If you cannot readily identify the cause at home, you should visit your dentist, who will check your mouth and teeth and advise you on the course of action. Generally, you need to maintain good oral health by brushing and flossing daily, even twice daily, after eating. Good dental health will also reduce the chances of dental cavities and gum disease that can cause bad breath.
Your doctor may also advise you a toothpaste or mouthwash containing an antibacterial agent. If your bad breath is due to bacteria or plaque buildup. Your dentist may recommend professional cleaning if the bad breath is due to gum disease. Your dentist may advise a replacement if you have a faulty tooth restoration. In case, your dentist thinks that bad breath is due to an underlying health condition, he may refer you to a doctor.
Conclusion
While bad breath can be socially embarrassing and put your relationships under stress knowing if you have bad breath and identifying its probable cause can be difficult. You must practice good oral hygiene, like brushing and flossing after eating, brushing your tongue, cleaning dentures, adjusting your diet, and scheduling regular dental checkups.
