 |
| Bad Breath Disease |
Introduction
It doesn't matter if you're at the office or out on a date with someone you really like; bad breath is an embarrassing situation that no one wants to be in. But what's the problem? Why are some persons odorless while others are not? What can you do to change it? Keep perusing for answers for these and different inquiries.
There are numerous causes of bad breath.
One of them is bacteria that grow in your mouth or throat. These microbes break down food particles that remain lodged between your teeth after you eat. Although they're harmless most of the time, they can emit unpleasant odors when left alone for too long without brushing. You'll also want to watch out for gum disease , which affects about 12% of Americans. It causes inflammation that gradually damages tissues in your gums as well as your jawbone and other parts of your body.
Another source of bad breath is dry mouth , or xerostomia. It occurs when your salivary glands produce less than normal amounts of saliva. Saliva helps wash away food particles that would otherwise rot in your mouth, so low saliva levels can cause bad breath. [2] Dry mouth can be triggered by certain prescription drugs or side effects from medical treatments for other conditions. Try chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate salivation and avoid dry mouth whenever possible.
In addition to dry mouth, smoking is another common culprit of bad breath. When you inhale tobacco smoke through cigarettes or pipes, it irritates your lungs and airways. This can make your breath smell unpleasant because some of that odor gets exhaled when you breathe out. Avoid cigarette smoke whenever possible; if you do smoke, quit as soon as you can to avoid oral cancer in addition to bad breath . [3] Of course, these are only some of the most common causes of bad breath.
How can you say whether your breath smells? First of all, try to smell your own breath. If it doesn't smell pleasant to you or your friends, chances are it's bad for other people too. If you're unsure about whether you have bad breath, a quick glance in a mirror can help. Common signs of halitosis include persistent yellow or white-colored tongues and foul odors coming from your mouth. Halitosis is usually caused by food lodged between your teeth , gum disease , dry mouth or smoking; but in some cases it could indicate more serious oral health problems such as cancer . [4] If you suspect that a problem like lung cancer may be causing your bad breath, get in touch with a doctor right away.
 |
The Culprits
1. Dental problems like gum disease or cavities can cause bad breath because bacteria collects on the teeth.
2. Many people don't brush their teeth regularly enough to keep the bacteria away.
3. Smoking and chewing tobacco can also lead to bad breath from the smoke, chemicals, or tar that get in your mouth and mix with saliva.
4. Certain foods like garlic or onions can leave a lingering odor in your mouth that causes bad breath as well
. Some sources of bad breath may be unavoidable; if you have an illness such as pneumonia, for example, then the illness itself may contribute to your bad breath. But there are many ways you can prevent or fix bad breath on your own at home! For starters, make sure you're brushing twice a day for two minutes each time . Water is especially important after eating something like onion soup which will only serve to worsen your problem!
You should floss at least once a day. Additionally, you can rinse your mouth with a mixture of water and baking soda - one part baking soda to two parts water - to help freshen your breath. If bad breath persists despite these efforts or if you think that dental issues are causing bad breath as well, contact your dentist as soon as possible!
With all of these remedies in mind, be sure to schedule regular visits to your dentist every six months or so! Your health will only benefit from preventative care like routine teeth cleanings; many experts even recommend brushing after every meal regardless of whether there's food stuck on your teeth!
The Solutions
There are two main culprits for bad breath: tongue coating (also called white coat syndrome) and gum disease. Tongue coating is when the tongue becomes coated with bacteria from the mouth; this can happen when there's a lack of saliva flow. Gum disease occurs when plaque builds up on teeth and gums, leading to inflammation that releases sulfur compounds in the mouth that cause bad breath. Most people have one or both of these underlying issues, but fortunately there are solutions! Brushing your teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste containing baking soda can help with tongue coating. You should also brush your tongue if you have tongue coating or white coat syndrome.
One way to deal with gum disease is by flossing. Regular flossing prevents plaque buildup on teeth and gums so that bacteria doesn't get a chance to cause inflammation. If you don't want to floss every day or would prefer a more natural alternative, you can try oil pulling. Oil pulling involves swishing coconut oil in your mouth for 10 minutes per day; its anti-inflammatory properties have been found to help combat gum disease (11). Baking soda has also been shown to reduce bad breath caused by oral malodor (12). Last but not least, when looking for an alternative toothpaste that does not contain harmful chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), look for one without foaming agents such as SLS. One of these SLS-free toothpastes is Enzymatic Therapy Fresh Breath Dentastix Fresh Mint. These mints are infused with aloe vera for soothing effects on gums (13), as well as natural enzymes that fight bad breath causing bacteria (14). They also include xylitol to kill cavity-causing germs in your mouth.
To avoid gum disease altogether and prevent bad breath at its source, use a water flosser or oral irrigator once per day. Water flossers clean away plaque buildup from teeth and gums so there's no chance for bacteria to form or mouths to smell bad.
You can also prevent bad breath by limiting your intake of processed foods or sugary drinks; these food sources can lead to plaque buildup. Processed foods are typically high in sugar and low in fiber. They also contain artificial ingredients that can irritate your mouth. For example, a study published in Acta Odontologica Scandinavia found that one common artificial sweetener called aspartame caused gum inflammation (15). This inflammation led to an increase in bad breath-causing bacteria. The best way to reduce plaque is to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables instead of processed foods so you have more natural fibers from them on your teeth (16). Bad breath is unpleasant for those around you, but luckily there are things you can do about it!
The Prevention
The best way to prevent bad breath is by taking care of your oral hygiene. Brush twice a day, floss once a day, rinse with mouthwash before bed, and visit the dentist for a professional cleaning every six months. Avoid foods that cause bad breath like garlic, onions or asparagus. Certain medications can also lead to bad breath so it's important to talk to your doctor about any concerns.
While these practices are important for your overall dental health, there are also some things you can do to specifically combat bad breath. Brushing your tongue and rinsing with mouthwash will help reduce bacteria in your mouth. Chewing gum after meals stimulates saliva production that washes away food particles that lead to bad breath. Gargling with salt water helps remove food particles from between teeth where you can't reach otherwise. For a long-term solution, use a tongue scraper each morning and evening to remove dead cells on your tongue's surface that can contribute to bad breath smells too. To ensure proper chewing motion a custom fitted bite guard might be beneficial to you as well!
It's important to note that bad breath can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition so it's always a good idea to see your doctor if you have bad breath that lasts longer than three days or worsens with time. One of many potential culprits for chronic bad breath is dry mouth. If there isn't enough saliva in your mouth due to low water intake, food dehydration or medications that reduce salivary flow then you may experience dry mouth. This leads to difficulty in chewing food, which increases chances for odor-causing bacteria to grow within your mouth. Another potential cause for persistent bad breath is gum disease where plaque builds up underneath gums. Bacteria grow in plaque and create smelly sulfur compounds as they break down into tiny particles.
If bad breath is a temporary condition then it will likely go away on its own. However if bad breath doesn't resolve itself within four weeks or worsens with time then you should make an appointment to see your doctor. There are several serious conditions that can lead to bad breath so it's important to rule them out before they turn into a chronic problem. One such condition is sinusitis where excess mucous builds up in your nose and starts moving back into your mouth causing foul smells through exhalation. If you have heartburn, reflux or GERD then stomach acid may seep back up into your throat which leads to bad breath as well!
Conclusion
Bad Breath Disease At the end of the day, it is your responsibility to take care of your oral hygiene. Brush two times every day with an electric or manual toothbrush. Floss once every other day. Use mouthwash every morning before breakfast and before bedtime. And drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your saliva moist and healthy. This will help prevent bad breath for you and those around you!
Bad breath is a problem that can affect anyone. Since it comes from your mouth, it’s impossible to hide. There are a lot of misconceptions regarding bad breath treatments but don’t panic! Bad breath treatments have come a long way in recent years and there are many options out there for you to choose from. You should always consult your doctor about which treatment will work best for you.
Given what you now know about bad breath causes, treatments and prevention, I hope that you have found these tips helpful! The next time someone asks you what causes bad breath or how they can get rid of it, feel free to send them here!
If you enjoyed these tips for preventing bad breath and if you found them helpful at all, then please consider sharing them with your friends. It would mean a lot to me! Just click one of these buttons below to share on Facebook or Twitter. I really appreciate it! Thank you so much for reading.
If you have any other suggestions for preventing bad breath, then please leave them in a comment below. I'd very much want to hear what you need to say! As always, happy reading!