It is embarrassing to have bad breath or halitosis. In some cases, it causes anxiety. Unfortunately, some sufferers do not even know they have it. It is a common problem among Americans. That’s why you can easily see mints, mouthwashes and other bad-breath-fighting products in the store shelves.
However, those products can only provide temporary solutions to your halitosis. In order to resolve this oral issue, you need to know the causes of this problem.
Poor Dental Hygiene
It is one of the most common causes of bad breath. If you lack oral hygiene, harmful organisms in the mouth could easily build up on your teeth, tongue, and gums. These bacteria can produce gases that cause an unpleasant smell. What’s worse is that they are the cause of tooth decay and gum disease.
Not flossing and brushing your teeth on a daily basis can cause food to be trapped between your teeth. If it is not eliminated, the bacteria will break it down causing your mouth to stink.
But these bacteria causing bad breath do not only thrive in between your teeth but they also live on the tongue. For that reason, it is vital that you scrape your tongue’s rough surface every brush to control halitosis.
Nicholas S St George DDS recommends getting a regular dental check-up to make sure that your oral hygiene is topnotch. He can also determine whether or not you have dental issues that may contribute to the problem and address it immediately.
Flavored Foods and Drinks
Garlic, onions and other spices are known to cause halitosis. If you eat food with containing spices, then expect that your breath to smell horrid.
But spices are not the only culprits of bad breath. Some drinks, like coffee and alcohol, can also contribute to the issue.
If your halitosis is caused by certain foods and drinks, then you should avoid them. Brushing your teeth and gargling with mouthwash may not help as the spices will remain in your system for 24 hours. In that case, the smell remains until your body has eliminated the spices completely.
Health Issues
In some cases, you may experience halitosis even if you have excellent dental hygiene. If this is your case, then it can be a warning sign that you have gum disease.
Persistent bad breath can be the result of plaque buildup on the teeth. Harmful bacteria can produce toxins that irritate the gums. If periodontal disease is left untreated, you will continue to experience bad breath. Apart from halitosis, this dental condition may also damage your gums and jawbone.
Thus, it is vital that you see Nicholas S St George DDS for evaluation. He is an expert periodontist who can help in resolving, not just your bad breath, but also your gum disease.
Other Causes of Bad Breath
Dry mouth or xerostomia is a medical condition that can result in halitosis. Keep in mind that you need saliva to moisten your mouth. It also neutralizes the acid that the plaque produced. Furthermore, it washes away dead cells that can cause halitosis.
Other medical conditions that cause bad breath would include bronchitis, diabetes, chronic acid reflux disease, and pneumonia, among others.
