Halitosis or bad breath is a source of social and personal anxiety. However, there are things that you can do to improve the condition if you have bad breath. Read on to find out what the main causes of bad breath are.
Causes Of Bad Breath
Food – certain foods like onions and garlic cause bad breath. Foods can cause odors because the particles stay around your teeth and gums, causing bacteria. Foods can cause odor after they are ingested as well. The odorous foods go into your bloodstream and then into your lungs, which affect your breath.
Tobacco products – Smokers may experience bad breath if they have gum disease. Many smokers get gum disease. Aside from that, smoking alone has a foul smell to many.
Poor dental hygiene – When food particles break down, bacteria results and bad breath occurs. If you don’t brush your teeth and floss, over-development of plaque will cause odors. Your tongue can be the culprit, as it can trap bacteria. Unclean dentures can also cause bad odors as food particles and bacteria accumulate.
Dry mouth – Dry mouth or xerostomia causes bad breath because saliva is a mouth cleaner. Consequently, if it is not present in the right amounts, your mouth becomes too dry, and bacteria increases.
Medications – Using certain medications can lead to bad breath in two ways: they can cause dry mouth, or, once ingested, they can release chemicals that can be carried into your breath.
Mouth infections – You may get an infection due to gum disease or mouth sores. Surgical wounds after oral surgery or tooth removal can cause infections and bad breath.
Unrelated mouth, nose, and throat conditions – Small stones that form in the tonsils (calculi or tonsilloliths) can be causes of bad breath because they are covered in bacteria. Infections or chronic swelling in the nose, throat, or sinuses can cause bad breath as well.
Other unrelated diseases – Cancer and some metabolic disorders can be causes of bad breath due to the chemicals produced. Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD can cause bad breath. Small children may get bad breath because they have a piece of food stuck in their nose.
What You Can Do About Bad Breath
Better oral hygiene is the answer to most bad breath issues. Regular brushing and flossing can eliminate your bad breath. Make sure that you are brushing correctly. Your dentist and dental hygienist can help you learn how to take better care of your teeth and mouth. Don’t be too embarrassed or shy to speak with your dentist or your dental hygienist.
At Lovett Dental Missouri City we welcome your questions with enthusiasm. Let’s find the answers together. Speaking with a professional is the first step. You may have an underlying medical condition or a more serious oral condition that is contributing to your bad breath. Your health is our number one priority.
Lovett Dental Missouri City
Bring the whole family for smiles overload. Our practice serves the great state of Texas with a great, big smile. Our pediatric dentists will not only bring a smile to your children’s faces but will also bring joy to their hearts. We welcome everyone from toddlers to seniors. Your dental and oral health is a responsibility we take seriously. We do everything for your dental health, right here, near your home. Some services we offer include:
- Dental crowns and bridges
- Sedation and dental anxiety services
- Emergency dental services
- Fillings and sealants
- Teeth whitening treatments
We are looking forward to your call at 281-969-5099. You will be so glad that you did. Start a new family tradition of great oral health with Lovett Dental Missouri City.
