Bad Breath Treatment by Huntsville Dentist
Are you suffering from bad breath and are embarrassed by it, leading to your inability to present your best self in social situations? It is also possible that you are unaware of it, but someone close to you has mentioned it. As people are unable to smell their breath, they might not be aware of their bad breath. You might even be worried for no reason. You may have no or little odour but feel that you have bad breath.
While products like mint sprays, gums and mouthwashes are a temporary solution, it is essential to look at some underlying causes to identify the cause of your bad breath.
Most common causes of bad breath:
Poor oral hygiene: We all know that poor oral health is the main reason for bad mouth odour. If you do not brush and floss your teeth regularly both in morning and night, the remaining food particles in your mouth are broken down by bacteria. These bacteria stick to your teeth in the form of a thin layer called plaque. This plaque develops on your teeth within a few hrs and causes an odour in your mouth. Having proper brushing and flossing habits in addition to regular hygiene visits to your dentist will help keep your mouth healthy and reduce the bacterial load in your mouth.
Tobacco and Alcohol:
Smoking and drinking can lead to dry mouth by decreasing the production of saliva. Tobacco is also a major cause of gum disease. The smoke combined with the plaque that builds on teeth causes receding gums and loss of bone, which not only leads to bad breath but also progressive loosening and early loss of teeth. Smokers must visit their dentist even more frequently for hygiene visits. While it would not reduce the damage caused by smoke, it could at least help them overcome the plaque bacteria in their mouths.
Dry Mouth:
Dry mouth, which is caused by decreased salivary production, causes bad breath. There are many causes of dry mouth, which include medications or radiation therapy. If you think one of your medicine is causing your dry mouth, you could ask your doctor for an alternative. It is never a good idea to stop any medication on your own. If the drug does not have a substitute, you could try OTC dry mouth relief products.
Infections in your mouth. Tooth decay and gum disease can lead to bad breath. While maintaining good oral hygiene keeps the plaque levels in mouth minimal, there could still be plaque and tartar deposits under the gums, which cannot be reached by brushing. Only dentists or dental hygienists can clean under the gum level.
Other mouth, nose, throat and stomach conditions:
Throat and sinus infections can occasionally cause bad breath. Acid reflux or GERD can be associated with bad breath. Visit your family doctor if you are suffering from any of these conditions.
Bad breath can be an indication for other diseases such as diabetes, liver and kidney issues, so visit your healthcare professional for regular physical examinations.
The information provided is for general information purposes only and not intended to replace professional care. Please consult your physician or dentist for advice and diagnoses so you can be properly treated for your specific situation.
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