Once in a while, most people face the issue of bad breath. It is a very common oral health condition that people usually deal with in some capacity from time to time. The occasional occurrence of bad breath can be corrected easily while some serious chronic bad breath cases, also known as halitosis, may require a bit more work to get rid of. In this blog, we will give you a detailed insight into halitosis and ways to deal with such oral health issues.
Reasons for bad breath
Here are some of the most common reasons that may cause occasional bad breath issues:
1. Eating certain foods
Bad breath can have causes apart from an underlying disease. Yes, eating certain foods can also cause bad breath. However, there is no denying that all food can impact your breath. The breakdown of food particles inside the mouth can increase bacteria that feed over the food debris that sticks to our teeth and tongue. When bacteria feed on food, particularly carbohydrates, they produce acids that lead to a foul smell. Besides, food items such as onion, garlic, and certain spices usually have a very strong smell and can cause bad breath.
2. Using tobacco products
Eating tobacco or smoking habits can also cause an unpleasant mouth odor. Both these products are not good for your gums as well as overall health. Moreover, these are also the source of bad breath. Smoking and tobacco leave certain chemical compounds in the mouth that get mixed with saliva and cause bad breath. Besides, smoking can make your mouth extremely dry, allowing chemical compounds from the cigarette and other bacteria to thrive in the mouth which also causes bad breath.
3. Poor dental hygiene
Poor dental hygiene is another key cause of bad breath. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles may remain inside your mouth that can cause bad breath. Besides, brushing helps in removing the sticky film of bacteria also known as plaque. In the absence of proper brushing, the plaque may continue to build up which may irritate the gums and eventually lead to periodontitis. Your tongue can also accumulate bacteria that produce odors. Apart from all these reasons, if you have dentures then also you are at risk of getting a bad breath problem.
4. Dry mouth
Another common reason for bad breath is the dry mouth issue. Saliva helps in cleaning your mouth by removing food particles that can cause bad odors. Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a condition that decreases the production of saliva. This condition usually occurs during sleep, thus causing morning bad breath. If a person is dealing with a chronic dry mouth problem, there may be an issue with their salivary glands or they may have some serious health issue.
Other reasons
Some other reasons that can cause bad breath issues include:
- Serious diseases like cancers and conditions like metabolic disorders that produce chemicals can cause a bad odor.
- Conditions like chronic reflux of stomach acid, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) also causes bad breath problems.
- Consumption of certain medications can indirectly lead to bad breath issues by contributing to dry mouth. Some of these medications include sedatives, antidepressants, antihistamines, decongestants, etc.
- Surgical wounds after oral surgery like tooth removal, or as a result of mouth sores, gum disease, or tooth decay can also cause bad breath.
- Mouth, throat, and nose related conditions can also be the reason behind a bad odor. For instance, infections or chronic inflammation in the nose, sinus, or throat can contribute to postnasal drip which can lead to bad breath.
Those who deal with the issues of chronic bad breath or halitosis, not only deal with poor breath order but may be exposed to a few other risks as well. The condition can be very embarrassing and in some cases, it may even cause anxiety.
Although various products are available in the market that are designed to fight bad breath such as mints, gums, mouthwashes, and many others, however, all these products are just a temporary measure as they don’t address the root cause of the bad breath issue.
How to deal with bad breath issues and when to contact a dentist?
Now you must have understood the key reasons that can lead to bad breath. It is mainly caused by bacteria present on the teeth and debris on the tongue. Most cases of halitosis are connected with:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Gum diseases such as periodontitis and gingivitis
- Dry mouth
If you have a bad breath issue, you must make a few changes in your oral hygiene routine. Try to make some lifestyle changes like:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day
- Cleaning tongue after eating
- Using dental floss
- Limiting the intake of junk food that contains onion, garlic, and other bad breath causing food items.
- Including more carbohydrate-rich foods in your diet
- Drinking plenty of water
Even after making the above lifestyle changes, if the bad breath issue still persists, you must see a dentist. Your dentist can help you to find the right solution to get rid of bad breath. If he notices a more serious condition is the reason behind bad breath, he may refer you to find the underlying cause of the odor and do the necessary treatment.
To conclude:
A frequent visit to a professional dentist for regular dental checkups is the best way to identify any mouth-related issues including bad breath or halitosis problems. The dentist may help identify any mouth problem that could be contributing to bad breath. So, if you or your loved one is dealing with a bad breath issue and are looking for professional help, then TruCare Dentistry is the right platform to get the right solution. If you are in Roswell, GA, book an appointment at TruCare as per your comfort and get the best possible advice as well as solutions from the dental experts for your oral health issues.