Have you heard the saying “if someone offers you a mint, you
should take it”? Bad breath is embarrassing, and it happens to the best of
us. Your garlicky lunch can stay with
you all day, but what causes bad breath, clinically known as halitosis, and
what can you do about it?
Bad Breath Has 3
Primary Causes
- · Your personal dental hygiene habits
- · Your diet
- · Your overall health
Good Dental Habits
Help Prevent Bad Breath
Keeping your teeth clean and maintaining a healthy oral
environment is the best way to ensure that your breath will always be fresh. Brushing and flossing removes odor causing
bacteria which thrive on food particles and debris that can be left behind.
Don’t forget about your tongue! Keep your tongue clean and free from bacteria
by brushing it or using a tongue cleaning device. Many dental professionals say that bacteria
build up on the tongue is a significant cause of halitosis.
It is important to
keep regular appointments with your dentist in order to detect tooth decay and
gum disease, which can also cause bad breath.
Plaque can build up and harden on the tooth surfaces. Hardened plaque is called tartar, and it
cannot be removed with brushing and flossing. it is important to have your
teeth professionally cleaned by your dental hygienist at least every six
months. Maintaining a healthy smile and
practicing good dental hygiene are the best things you can do to prevent bad
breath from sneaking up on you.
The Foods You Eat Can
Cause Breath Odor
Most everyone knows that garlic and onions cause bad breath,
but how does it happen? The answer lies
in digestion. During digestion, the
foods we eat are broken down to their chemical components. The chemicals are absorbed into the
bloodstream, and ultimately into the tiny capillaries in your lungs. The smelly chemicals are actually exhaled
during respiration. If you eat a lot of garlic, onions or a diet high in sugars
and proteins, you may find that no amount of brushing and flossing removes the
odor from your breath. To prevent diet related halitosis, limit your intake of
strong smelling foods and sugars. Drink
plenty of water to hydrate your body and help flush odor causing chemicals from
your bloodstream.
Bad Breath Can be a
Sign of a Health Condition
Infections in the body, especially oral or respiratory
infections can be a cause of halitosis.
Chronic allergies, sinus infections and chronic bronchitis often cause
the problem. Certain digestive
disorders, such as acid reflux disease, can also cause bad breath. Your dentist can help determine if the cause
of your problem is dental related or systemic.
If your bad breath seems to be caused by an illness or disease, your
dentist will recommend an evaluation by your physician. Dry mouth is a known cause of bad breath, and
can be caused by a medical condition or even by certain medications. If you suffer with dry mouth, talk to your
dentist about artificial saliva products.
Try chewing sugar-free gum or sugar free candies to stimulate saliva production.
Dental Help for Bad
Breath
Dr. Jack E. Burroughs of Forest Lane Dental can provide advice,
treatment and hygiene instruction specifically related to combating bad
breath. Certain dental products can also
be prescribed to help combat bad breath. Schedule your next dental check-up with Dr.
Burroughs for comprehensive dental health care and personal consultation to
make sure you have the knowledge and the tools to eliminate this embarrassing
problem.
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