It doesn’t matter if you call it bad breath or halitosis,
worrying about your breath can make you feel anxious and uncomfortable. There
are a number of different causes for bad breath, and we will talk about some of
the potential reasons and the solutions in making you feel more comfortable in
any setting.
The first potential reason for bad breath is the most
obvious: the foods we eat. Garlic, onions, and some others can linger for
extended periods of time if we are not diligent about brushing and flossing
daily. But even when we don’t eat foods that have a potent aroma, bacteria from
any food can stay around in your mouth after eating. The bacteria that remain
produce compounds that smell and the only solution to remove the bacteria is
diligent home care.
Dry mouth can also lead to bad breath and we commonly see
patients on new medications develop dry mouth. Our saliva helps clean and
protect our teeth and gums, and a decrease can lead to more leftover bacteria, which
then creates bad breath. There are different rinses, gels and toothpastes that
can help with dry mouth, and we also recommend sugar free gum and candy to
stimulate saliva flow.
Persistent bad breath could be a sign of gum disease if
changes at home do not improve your issues. A deeper cleaning, referred to as
root planning, may be recommended to remove bacteria and buildup that have
grown underneath the gums.
If none of the options above seem to be the answer to
your bad breath, it is possible there is a more serious medical disorder. There
are some systemic conditions, including diabetes, liver and kidney diseases
that can produce symptoms related to bad breath.
While there are a number of potential reasons for bad
breath, an easy first step is to maintain excellent homecare and visit your
dentist. You can work together to find solutions that work for your situation.
And in more challenging situations, your physician is a great resource in
diagnosing any hidden medical problems.
For more information, visit
us at www.brownandkupper.com
Lee T. Brown, DDS
Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.
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