What Might Be Causing Your Bad Breath
What Causes Bad Breath Odors?
We have all a time in our lives or been in one of those situations where we have encountered someone with terrible smelling breath, and in some cases, that someone may have even been us. Bad smelling breath can be caused by a number of different things that include the breakdown of food, dry mouth, poor dental hygiene, tobacco use, an infection, or severe dieting. Here we will explore some of the different causes of bad breath and what you can do to treat them.
Poor Dental Hygiene
Those individuals who do not brush or floss their teeth every day can often be victims of bad breath. When you do not brush daily, the remaining food in the mouth collects bacteria, which can cause breath to smell bad. Additionally, food trapped between and around the teeth as well as on the tongue can begin to rot. The only way to combat this is to engage in a proper oral hygiene routine to help remove the leftover food from the mouth and keep breath smelling fresh.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is a common cause of bad breath that occurs when the flow of saliva decreases in the mouth. Saliva is important for cleansing the mouth between brushing, helping to remove particles that may cause bad smells. Dry mouth can be the result of using certain medications, breathing continuously through the mouth, or having salivary gland problems. Those suffering from dry mouth may be prescribed artificial saliva or be instructed to use sugar-free candy to increase saliva production.
Diet
What patients eat affects the smell of their breath – those who eat onions, garlic, and other “fragrant” foods often suffer from bad breath. Once these foods are absorbed into the bloodstream, they are transferred to the lungs where they are then expelled. Brushing and using mouthwash daily only masks the smell temporarily, and the odor continues until the food is expelled. Additionally, those who are dieting for weight loss can experience bad breath from infrequent eating.
When it comes to reducing bad breath, maintaining a good oral hygiene routine is an important step. It is crucial to ensure that regular dental visits and cleanings are scheduled as well as brushing twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste to help remove food particles and plaque. Should you be concerned about continuous bad breath, make sure to consult a dental professional – he or she can help identify the smell’s cause, and should it be due to an oral condition, help provide treatment.
If you or a loved one is in need of a visit to the dentist, you can sign up for our New Hampshire Family Discount Dental Plan and save as much as 20 percent on your dental bills. For more information, please click here. We also offer Employee Discount Dental Plans for business owners offering dental to their employees.
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