If you suffer from chronic bad breath, or halitosis, you might feel some embarrassment surrounding your condition. You may have purchased so much gum that you are considering buying stock in it. However, masking the issue will not have any lasting results. Attacking the root of the problem can help you get rid of your bad breath for good.
Causes of Bad Breath
In order to treat the cause, you must know the cause.
Leftover Food: Food can get stuck in all of the various crevices within your mouth. When leftover food remains in your teeth, it starts to grow bacteria. The bacteria cause your breath to stink.
Smoking & Tobacco: The residual chemicals from cigarettes remain in your mouth and airways long after you are done smoking. This results in longer lasting bad breath.
Gingivitis & Other Gum Diseases: Bad breath is actually one of the main signs of gingivitis. When plaque builds up, your gums can start to inflame and that can develop into gingivitis. If ignored further, it can develop into periodontitis, which can cause tooth, gum, and bone loss.
Dry Mouth: If you notice your mouth is frequently dry, you might suffer from xerostomia, a disease that causes your mouth to produce less saliva. Saliva lubricates and cleanses your mouth, which prevents cavities and bacteria growth.
Medical Conditions: If you have been experiencing chronic bad breath, you could be suffering from a severe medical condition. If you notice your breath smells fruity, you might be diabetic. If your breath suffers from a fishy odour, you may have chronic kidney failure. People with eating disorders often suffer from halitosis as well.
Treating Bad Breath
Attack the problem at its root.
Brushing Teeth: To rid your mouth of leftover food and minimize the effects of smoking, brush your teeth at least twice a day. Three times, once after each meal, is ideal. A fifteen second swish and spit is not enough. Gently brush your teeth for two to three minutes for optimal results.
Flossing: Brushing your teeth is good, but it will not dislodge food that is stuck in the various crevices of your mouth. Flossing will help to remove food that has nestled into those hard-to-reach places, preventing bacteria growth, and the resulting bad breath.
Visit a Dentist: A dentist will be able to accurately determine the root cause of your bad breath and help you develop a treatment plan. Early diagnosis of dental diseases like gingivitis can help prevent more serious diseases from developing.
Drink Water: Water will help to combat dry mouth and will rinse out loose food particles in your mouth as well. Do not consider this a substitute for proper treatment of dry mouth. Visit a physician for a treatment plan.
Bad breath can be embarrassing, but you don’t have to hide behind breath mints and gum! Proper oral care, along with regular visits to the dentist, can help you to battle chronic halitosis. Forest Lawn Dental Centre is dedicated to providing excellent service to every patient. We will bend over backwards to make your visits comfortable and effective. Schedule an appointment today to start combating your bad breath.