Is your smile currently plagued with bad breath, also known as halitosis? This is actually a common condition depending on the cause. Sometimes it can be embarrassing, but it can also be deadly as it is a sign that something serious is going on.
Bad breath arises because of the oral bacteria in the mouth. Millions of bacteria inhabit the smile. But when yours is constantly beset by an unpleasant smell, there’s a reason for it and it needs to be looked at and treated. Today we are going to look at a few of the causes of bad breath and how to treat them.
1- If your love of garlic is causing your breath to smell, you can easily combat this by cleaning your teeth after you eat, and even use a mouthwash if it is particularly odorous. Sometimes, chewing on sugarless gum or breath mint can help. To avoid chronic bad breath, be sure to take the time to brush and floss daily.
2- Are you a denture wearer? If so, you need to stay on top of your oral hygiene care every day to keep them clean and bacteria free. Make sure they are free of food particles and soak every night in a denture solution. This helps reduce bacteria in the mouth that could harm your natural teeth and gums.
3-Are you sick? Halitosis is a common condition for infections in the respiratory tract and problems with the liver or kidneys.
4- Do you have dry mouth? This is a common oral condition caused when the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva. Low levels of saliva allow the odor-causing bacteria to multiply until you brush and floss them away. Dry mouth can be often be diminished with the help of store-bought saliva substitutes, chewing sugar-free gum and staying well hydrated with water.
5- Once gum disease has advanced to the periodontitis stage, the oral bacteria have severely infected your gums. This requires treatment from your dentist or periodontist, depending on the severity of the disease.
If you would like to more about the cause of your bad breath, we invite you to schedule a visit our dentist at Wyandotte Family Dental in Wyandotte, Michigan. Just call 734-282-2019, and we will make sure Dr. Suela Veizaj has the opportunity to examine your mouth and help you find the treatment you need!