Halitosis, better known as severe bad breath, can cause an embarrassing social problem, but it can also be a sign of an underlying medical problem.
Severe bad breath can have a variety of causes and it is important to try and identify the cause in order to get effective treatments. At JVR Dental in Walnut Grove, we know how important your oral health care is. That is why we have put together a list of some of the more popular causes for bad breath.
What causes bad breath?
DRY MOUTH
Saliva usually washes away excess food particles and bacteria that build up on teeth. If you don’t have enough saliva to do this you will definitely suffer from an unpleasant smell. Common causes of decrease saliva are:
Morning breath, your saliva production decreases when you sleep
Hungry or thirsty, when you dehydrate, you don’t have enough saliva
Alcoholic drinks
Using multiple medications
Products specifically for dry mouth like Biotene, can be used to help prevent bad breath in these cases.
NOT FLOSSING
Flossing removes food particles and bacteria that get caught between your teeth to cause bad breath. Good oral hygiene, including flossing, is one of the easiest ways to treat bad breath.
SMOKING
Using tobacco products will most certainly cause a bad breath and treatment would be to stop smoking when you are ready. Talk to your doctor for advice and support.
DENTAL CAVITIES
If you have a cavity, it is the perfect place for food to get stuck and bacteria to build up.
GUM DISEASE
If your are suffering from gingivitis, a bad breath will definitely be one of the signs you are suffering from. This is caused by bacterial build up between your teeth and the gums. A good oral cleaning from your dental practice is the best treatment.
EATING HABITS
Some foods, such as garlic, may cause temporary bad breath with no quick fixes. Garlic gets absorbed into your bloodstream and the odor remains until your body has process the food.
DIETING
Chewing food increase saliva production, so when you are skipping meals or dieting, you can develop bad breath. A diet low in carbohydrates or any restrictive diet may increase your chances of bad breath. It is always good to drink plenty of water to keep you hydrated and to help maintain a good level of saliva in your mouth.
INFECTIONS
If your dentist has ruled out any oral problems that might cause a chronic bad breath, it is best to see you doctor for an evaluation too. This may indicate infection somewhere else in your body and can be a sign of a range of conditions like diabetes, strep throat, tonsilitis, respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, HIV, digestive system ailments such as reflux or liver and kidney problems.
Good oral hygiene stays the best way to improve bad breath. It it important to brush your teeth, tongue, gums and roof of your mouth twice a day with daily flossing and an anti-bacterial mouth rinse. If you would like to more about oral hygiene and how to prevent bad breath, please contact JVR Dental in Walnut Grove at 604-371-3138.
Source: https://www.jvrdental.com/blog/common-causes-and-treatments-of-bad-breath/