Bad Breath or Halitosis
No one wants to experience the awful fear of bad breath or halitosis, especially in social situations. Although a few medical conditions may cause bad breath, the most common causes are related to your teeth, gums, and/or your dental hygiene.
A buildup of plaque and tartar (calculus) may lead to gingivitis and gum disease, a common cause of bad breath. In addition, broken or badly decayed teeth may collect debris and, in time, bacteria form and causes a bad taste and smell.
Our tongue can also host a myriad of bacteria. Other causes of bad breath include certain foods, tobacco use, and dry mouth.
Improving bad breath starts with an evaluation of your teeth and gums. Removing the bacteria responsible for the malodor is the critical first step in the fight against bad breath. If the source is the gums, treatment can range from routine cleaning to deep cleaning (also called scaling and root planning).
When the bad odor comes from the teeth, the solution is often a combination of fillings, crowns, or extractions, depending on the severity of the problem. When decay is removed, the odor goes with it.
It also is important to brush your tongue to remove plaque and bacteria in the deep grooves of the tongue’s surface that can lead to bad breath.
Preventing bad breath entails keeping your teeth, gums, and tongue extremely clean.
Periodontal disease is a common cause of chronic bad breath
Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth may be warning signs of gum (periodontal) disease caused by the buildup of plaque on your teeth. The bacterium that forms around your teeth may cause toxins to form in the mouth, which irritate your gums. If gum disease continues without proper treatment, it can damage your gums and the supporting bone around your teeth.
We are here to help you, please ask us for a full periodontal evaluation.
Bad breath may also be attributed to:
- Poorly-fitting or old dental bridges, crowns, and dentures.
- Yeast infections of the mouth.
- Dental cavities.
- Dry mouth- Saliva is necessary to moisten and cleanse the mouth by neutralizing acids produced by plaque and washing away dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be caused by the side effects of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth.
- Many other diseases and illnesses may cause bad breath. Here are some to be aware of: respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis, chronic sinus infections, postnasal drip, diabetes, chronic acid reflux, and liver or kidney problems.
What you eat also affects breath
Basically, all the food eaten begins to be broken down in your mouth. As foods are digested and absorbed into the bloodstream, they are eventually carried to your lungs and given off in your breath. If you eat foods with strong odors (such as garlic or onions), brushing and flossing –even mouth wash- merely covers up the odor temporarily. The odor will not go away completely until the foods have passed through your body.
Poor oral habits may also cause bad breath
If you don’t brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, which promotes bacterial growth between your teeth, around your gums, and on your tongue. This will cause bad breath. Antibacterial mouth rinses can help you reduce the bacterial load but will not completely remove the hard plaque or tartar that has already built beneath your gums. Please schedule an appointment with our hygienist so we can bring your mouth back to a healthy state.
Dentures need to be cleaned on a regular basis after every meal; odor-causing bacteria and food particles can cause bad breath when not properly cleaned. Special solutions are sold at your pharmacy of choice to help you keep them clean.
Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products can also cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce your ability to taste foods, and irritate the gums.
Highlights:
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be warning signs of gum disease.
- Poor dental health habits may cause bad breath: Brush and floss daily.
- A dry mouth can also cause bad breath.
- Bad breath can be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.
- Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections of the mouth, and dental caries.
- Dentures must be properly cleaned.
- Bad breath may be a sign of other health problems.