Bad Breath | The Many Causes of Halitosis
Bad breath can be caused by a large number of things--not just poor oral hygiene.
There is nothing quite like the embarrassment and fear that stems from the knowledge that we have bad breath. Because this epidemic is not going away any time soon, it is time once again to make bad breath the focus of our weekly blog. You can also read the previously written post about bad breath, "Bad to the Breath".
We pop breath mint after breath mint, swish minty mouthwash for as long as we can stand, and try to keep an inconspicuous distance from the noses of others. We know that bad breath is not bad for no reason. In fact, it can often be caused by a large number of things. According to the post "Disease and Conditions | Bad Breath" written by the staff at Mayo Clinic, bad breath or halitosis can stem from things other than poor dental hygiene such as dry mouth, poor dental hygiene, tobacco products, food, mouth infections, medications, or mouth nose, and throat conditions.
Dry Mouth
How reduced Saliva Production contributes to bad breath
Dry mouth or xerostomia is a condition in which saliva production is decreased. Mayoclinic.org credits saliva as helping to cleanse the mouth by removing food particles that can sometimes lead to odor, therefore a decrease in saliva production can often mean an increase of odor causing particles. Some medications may also lead to dry mouth which may result in halitosis.
Tobacco Products
“Smokers and oral tobacco users are also more likely to have gum disease”, the staff at Mayo Clinic says. They explain that tobacco-caused gum disease could become a source of halitosis.
Food
Proper Dental Hygiene Helps Control the Bacteria that Triggers Odor
Eating can often lead to breath that smells less than fresh. mayoclinic.org says that while we eat, food particles break down and collect in and around our teeth. This can increase oral bacteria which triggers odor. Some medications when broken down may also release chemicals that can be carried by breath.
Bad breath can often depend on the types of foods we eat. We know that onions, garlic, and some spices are not the best first-date foods, but Mayo Clinic goes further to explain that as we digest these potent foods, they actually enter our bloodstream and are carried to our lungs—the source of our breath.
Infections of the Mouth, Nose, and Throat
Open mouth sores, gum disease, and tooth decay can often be related to halitosis. The Mayo Clinic staff states that surgical wounds that are a result of oral surgery can be grouped among open mouth sores. They go on to say that infected tonsils or inflammation in the nose, sinuses or throat can turn breath sour.
We all want to have fresh breath. An important part of achieving it is by taking care to brush and floss daily as well as to visit your dentist to receive regular cleanings and checkups. If you feel that you may be suffering from halitosis, contact Dr. Moore's office today. Get to the bottom of what's causing your bad breath.
To learn more about halitosis and how you can prevent it, request an appointment online with Dr. Moore today or discover the services that are available to you through Lake Cities Dental.
Contact Lake Cities Dental for more information about Family Dentistry and Orthodontics in the Southlake, TX area. (817) 410-7373.