Breath is a very personal subject. When speaking to another person, the smell of someone’s breath is certainly noticed. Most people are very conscious of the way their breath and mouth smell and taste. Usually, when a person thinks they have bad breath or feels a bad taste in their mouth, they pop a mint, chew gum or even brush their teeth to solve the problem. However, for some, bad breath is a chronic condition. This medical condition is referred to as Halitosis. This is when a foul mouth odor emerges because of toxins from the teeth and gums.
Halitosis can develop from several factors. Common causes are poor dental habits, eating certain pungent foods and lifestyle choices. Halitosis can even be a symptom of another disease. A person with dentures can also be prone to chronic bad breath.
The odor is caused by wastes from bacteria in the mouth. Not brushing and flossing teeth daily, allows food particles to remain in the mouth. This breeds bacteria between teeth, around the gums and on the tongue. The food left behind rots in your mouth and leads to tooth decay and gum disease. Gum disease (periodontitis) is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. The decay and debris in your mouth produce a sulfur compound that is the cause of the odor of bad breath.
Brushing your teeth at least twice daily helps to keep your teeth clean and breath (temporarily) minty. But simply brushing doesn’t rid your mouth of all the food left behind. Flossing is the key to removing food particles which lead to the decay of teeth and gum disease. Even when brushing away that morning breath, you can be surprised what has been left behind in your mouth from the night before.
If this is the reason a person experiences Halitosis, it seems completely preventable doesn’t it? This same cause and effect can be similar for people with dentures. Without a proper and rigorous dental care routine, anyone is subject to bacterial mouth infections. Dentures should be properly cleaned as well and mouthwash and dental rinse should certainly be a step in the routine. Even people without dentures can benefit from antibacterial mouth rinses to help reduce bacteria.
After your thorough dental routine of brush, floss, rinse, don’t forget about your tongue! Removing bacteria from the back of your tongue can go a long way in fighting bad breath. Many toothbrushes today come with a rigid side on the back of the bristle head to use as a tongue scraper.
It is well known that smoking or chewing tobacco gives you bad breath. But that’s not the only thing it does. It also causes dry mouth and destroys cavity-fighting antibodies in your saliva which in turn, leads to bad breath.Cooking with a lot of fragrant foods like garlic, onions, etc., won’t completely leave your body until it fully digests and excretes. This can leave a lingering taste of bad breath in your mouth.
By maintaining a rigorous and thorough dental hygiene routine, cutting out habits (tobacco) and trying to avoid pungent foods, Halitosis can be controlled. Regular visits to the dentist for proper cleanings and exams will also aid in the combat of chronic bad breath. Contact the dental office of Beautiful Smiles of Long Island if you are concerned about Halitosis.
