Bad breath

HALITOSIS (BAD BREATH)

Bad breath happens. If you’ve ever gotten that not-so-fresh feeling on a date, at a job interview or just talking with friends, you’re not alone. Studies show that 50 percent of adults have had bad breath, or halitosis, at some point in their lives. 

What Causes Bad Breath?

           There are a number of reasons you might have dragon breath. While many causes are harmless, bad breath can sometimes be a sign of something more serious. 

1) Bacteria 

BACTERIA

                   Bad breath can happen anytime because bad breath causing bacteria that naturally lives in your mouth. Your mouth allows these bacteria to grow. When you eat, bacteria feed on the food left in your mouth and leaves a foul-smelling waste product behind. 

2) Dry mouth

DRY MOUTH

                  Your mouth might not be making enough saliva. Saliva is important because it works around the clock to wash out your mouth. If you don’t have enough, your mouth isn’t being cleaned as much as it should be. Dry mouth can be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems or by simply breathing through your mouth. 

3)Gum disease

PERIODONTITIS

                   Bad breath that just won’t go away or a constant bad taste in your mouth can be a warning sign of advanced gum disease, which is caused by a sticky, cavity-causing bacteria called plaque. 

BREATH OFFENDING FOODS

4)Food

                  Garlic, onions, coffee... 
the list of breath-offending foods is long, and  what you eat affects the air you exhale.

5)Smoking and tobacco

SMOKING

                              Smoking stains your teeth, gives you bad breath and puts you at risk. Tobacco reduces your ability to taste foods and irritates gum tissues. Tobacco users are more likely to suffer from gum disease. Since smoking also affects your sense of smell, smokers may not be aware of how their breath smells. 

6)Medical conditions

GASTRIC PROBLEMS

                    Mouth infections can cause bad breath. However, if your dentist has ruled out other causes and you brush and floss every day, your bad breath could be the result of another problem, such as a sinus condition, gastric reflux, diabetes, liver or kidney disease. In this case, see your healthcare provider. 

DENTAL CAVITIES

7)Dental cavities
               Cavities in your mouth leads to bad breath. Food lodges into the cavities of the teeth and bacteria start to grow there and gives a foul smell.

                            

How Can I Keep Bad Breath Away?

1)Brush and Floss

                 Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily with floss to get rid of all that bacteria that’s causing your bad breath. 

2)Take care of your tongue

              Don’t forget about your tongue when you’re taking care of your teeth. If you stick out your tongue, you’ll see a white or brown coating. That’s where most of bad breath bacteria can be found. Use a toothbrush or a tongue scraper to clear them out. 

3)Mouthwash

       Over-the-counter mouthwashes can help kill bacteria or neutralize and temporarily mask bad breath. It’s only a temporary solution, however. The longer you wait to brush and floss away food in your mouth, the more likely your breath will offend. 

4)Clean your dentures

           If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night, and clean them thoroughly before using them again the next morning. 

5)Keep the saliva flowing

                  To get more saliva moving in your mouth, try eating healthy foods that require a lot of chewing, like carrots or apples. You can also try chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candies. Your dentist may also recommend artificial saliva.

6)Quit smoking

                  Giving up this dangerous habit is good for your body in many ways. Not only will you have better breath, you’ll have a better quality of life.

7)Visit your dentist regularly 

                If you’re concerned about what’s causing your bad breath, make an appointment to see your dentist. Regular checkups allow your dentist to detect any problems such as gum disease or dry mouth and stop them before they become more serious. If your dentist determines your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your primary care doctor.

                     Rootz Dental Care and Implant Center, 

                                            No:2/2, First Floor, Sakthi Nagar,

                                            Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Thuraipakkam,

                                            Chennai - 600 097,

                                            Phone :- 9786688755,044-49504825

                                                     Email :- rootzdentalcare@gmail.com