Dental Health: Bad Breath

Dental Health: Bad Breath

Bad breath, medically called halitosis, can result from poor oral hygiene
habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made
worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.

How Does What You Eat Affect Breath?

Basically, all the food you eat begins to be broken down in your mouth. As
foods are digested and absorbed into your bloodstream, they are eventually
carried to your lungs and given off in your breath. If you eat foods with strong
odors (such as, garlic or onions), brushing and flossing - even mouthwash -
merely covers up the odor temporarily. The odor will not go away completely
until the foods have passed through your body.

Why Do Poor Habits Cause Bad Breath?

If you don't brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles can remain in
your mouth, which promotes bacteria growth between teeth, around the gums, and
on the tongue. This causes bad breath. In addition, odor-causing bacteria and
food particles can cause bad breath if dentures are not properly cleaned.

Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products can also cause bad breath, stain
teeth, reduce your ability to taste foods, and irritate gum tissues.

What Health Problems Are Associated With Bad Breath?

Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth may be warning signs of
gum disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque
on teeth. The bacteria cause toxins to form in the mouth, which irritate the
gums. If periodontal disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and
jawbone.

Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances,
yeast infections of the mouth and dental caries.

The medical condition dry
mouth (also called xerostomia) can also cause bad breath. Saliva is
necessary to moisten and cleanse the mouth by neutralizing acids produced by
plaque and washing away dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums, and
cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry
mouth may be caused by the side effects of various medications, salivary gland
problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth.

Many other diseases and illnesses may cause bad breath. Here are some to be
aware of: respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis,
chronic sinus infections, postnasal drip, diabetes, chronic acid reflux, liver
or kidney problems.

What Can I Do to Prevent Bad Breath?

Bad breath can be reduced or prevented if you:

1. Practice good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to
   remove food debris and plaque. Brush your teeth after you eat (keep a toothbrush
   at work or school to brush after lunch). Don't forget to brush your tongue, too.
   Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months. Use floss or an interdental cleaner
   to remove food particles and plaque between your teeth once a day. Dentures
   should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your
   mouth the next morning.
   
2. See your dentist regularly – at least twice a year. He or she will conduct
   an oral examination and professional teeth cleaning and will be able detect and
   treat periodontal disease, dry mouth, or other problems that may be the cause of
   bad mouth odor.
   
3. Stop smoking/chewing tobacco-based products. Ask your dentist for tips on
   kicking the habit.
   
4. Drink lots of water. This will keep your mouth moist. Chewing gum
   (preferably sugarless) or sucking on candy (preferably sugarless) also
   stimulates the production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles and
   bacteria.
   
5. Keep a log of the foods you eat. If you think the foods that you eat may be
   causing your bad breath, record what you eat so that you can determine which
   foods may be contributing to the problem. Bring the log to your dentist to
   review. Similarly, make a list of the medications you take. Some medications may
   play a role in creating mouth odors.

Who Treats Bad Breath?

In most cases, your dentist can treat the cause of bad breath. If your
dentist determines that your mouth is healthy and that the odor is not of oral
origin, you may be referred to your family doctor or to a specialist to
determine the odor source and treatment plan. If the odor is due to gum disease,
for example, your dentist can either treat the disease or refer you to a
periodontist, a dentist who specializes in treating gum conditions.

What Products Can I Use to Eliminate Bad Breath?

You can buy a number of mouthwashes over-the-counter that claim to eliminate
bad breath. However, keep in mind that many of these mouthwashes generally
provide only a temporary way to mask unpleasant mouth odor. There are, however,
several antiseptic mouth-rinse products available that instead of simply masking
breath odor kill the germs that cause bad breath. Ask your dentist about which
product is best for you.