Description

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be embarrassing and in some cases may even cause anxiety. It is No wonder that store shelves are overflowing with gum, mints, mouthwashes and other products to combat bad breath. But many of these products are only short-term measures. That's because they don't treat the cause of the problem.

Certain foods, health conditions and habits are among the causes of bad breath. In many cases, you can make the bad breath is better to keep the mouth and teeth clean. If you can't fix the bad breath yourself, see your dentist or other health care professional to be sure a more serious condition is not the cause.

Symptoms

Bad breath odors vary, depending on the cause. Some people worry too much about their breath even though they have little or no mouth odor. Others have bad breath and not know it. Because it is difficult to know how your breath smells, ask a friend or relative to confirm if you have bad breath.

When to see a doctor

If you have bad breath, review of how to keep the mouth and teeth clean. Try making lifestyle changes, such as brushing the teeth and tongue after eating, the use of dental floss, and drink lots of water.

If you still have bad breath after making the changes, see your dentist. If your dentist thinks of a more serious condition is the cause of your bad breath, you may need to see another health care professional to find the cause of the smell.

Causes

Most bad breath starts in your mouth. There are many possible causes, including:

  • Food. The breakdown of food particles in and around the teeth can lead to more bacteria and cause a foul odor. Eating certain foods, such as onions, garlic, and spices, also can cause bad breath. After you digest these foods, they enter your bloodstream, are carried to your lungs and affect your breath.
  • Tobacco products. Smoking causes the unpleasant odor in the mouth. Tobacco users are also more likely to have gum disease, which is another source of bad breath.
  • Do not keep the mouth and teeth clean. If you don't brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, causing bad breath. A colorless, sticky film of bacteria is called plaque forms on the teeth. If not brushed away, plaque can irritate the gums. Finally, it can form plaque-filled pockets between the teeth and gums. The early stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. In the late stage of the gum disease with bone loss is called periodontitis. Your tongue also can trap bacteria that produce odors. Dentures can also pick up the odor-causing bacteria and food particles, as may be fixed or removable oral appliances such as braces that are not cleaned regularly or don't fit properly.
  • Dry mouth. Saliva helps cleanse your mouth, removing particles that cause bad smells. A condition called dry mouth or xerostomia (zeer-o-STOE-me-uh) may be a part of bad breath because they produce less saliva. Dry mouth naturally occurs during sleep, leading to "morning breath." It gets worse if you sleep with your mouth open. Constant dry mouth can be caused by a problem with the glands that produce saliva and by certain diseases.
  • Drugs. Some medications can cause bad breath that causes dryness in the mouth. The body breaks down other medications and releases chemical substances that can be carried on your breath.
  • Infections in the mouth. Surgical wound after the surgery of the mouth, such as the extraction of a tooth, as well as dental caries, gum disease, or sores in the mouth can cause bad breath.
  • Other mouth, nose, and throat conditions. The small stones that form in the tonsils, called tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, are covered with bacteria that can cause bad breath. Infections, or the constant swelling in the nose, sinuses or throat, it can lead to postnasal drip. This is when the fluid from your nose runs down the back of your throat. This condition can also cause bad breath.
  • Other causes. Diseases such as some types of cancer can cause a distinctive breath odor. The same is true for disorders related to the body's process of converting food into energy. The constant heartburn, which is a symptom of gastro-esophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can cause bad breath. A foreign body, as a piece of food lodged in a nostril, it can cause bad breath in young children.

Risk factors

The risk of bad breath is greater if you eat foods that are known to cause bad breath, such as garlic, onion and spices. Smoking, do not keep your mouth clean and some medications can also play a role, such as dry mouth, infections of the mouth and of some diseases. In addition, other conditions such as GERD, or the cancer may cause bad breath.

Diagnosis

Your dentist probably the smell of the breath of his mouth and the breath of his nostrils, and the rate of odor on a scale. Because the posterior part of the tongue most often causes the smell, your dentist also can scrape and the rate of its smell.

Some devices can also detect certain chemicals that cause bad breath. But these tools are not always available.

Treatment

To reduce bad breath and helps prevent cavities and reduce your risk of gum disease, regularly, to keep the mouth and teeth clean. In addition to treatment for bad breath can vary. If your dentist thinks of another health condition is causing your bad breath, it is likely that you need to see your primary healthcare professional or specialist.

Your dentist will work with you to help you to better control the bad breath caused by mouth issues. Dental measures may include:

  • Mouth rinses and toothpastes. If bad breath is due to a buildup of bacteria, called plaque, on the teeth, your dentist may recommend a mouth rinse that kills the bacteria. Your dentist may also recommend a toothpaste that contains an antibacterial agent to kill the bacteria that cause plaque buildup.
  • Treatment of dental disease. If you have gum disease, your dentist may suggest that you see a specialist on the gingiva, known as a periodontist. Gum disease can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, leaving deep pockets that fill with bacteria that cause odor. Sometimes, only the professional cleaning eliminates bacteria. Your dentist may also recommend replacing defective fillings, a breeding ground for bacteria.

Lifestyle and home remedies

To reduce or prevent bad breath:

  • Brush your teeth after eating. Keep a toothbrush at work to use after eating. Brush using a fluoride-containing toothpaste at least twice a day, especially after meals. Toothpaste with antibacterial properties has been shown to reduce bad breath.
  • Floss at least once a day. Proper flossing removes food particles and plaque between teeth, helping to control bad breath.
  • Brush your tongue. Her tongue picks up the bacteria, so carefully brushing can reduce odors. A tongue scraper can help people that have a coating of the tongue of a significant overgrowth of bacteria, such as smoking or dry mouth. Or the use of a toothbrush that has a built-in tongue cleaner.
  • Clean, bridges, dentures, retainers, and mouth guards. If you use a bridge or a denture, a thorough cleaning at least once a day or as directed by your dentist. If you have a retainer, dental or mouth guard, clean each time before you put it in your mouth. Your dentist can recommend the best cleaning product.
  • Keep the mouth moist. Stay away from tobacco and drink plenty of water. Do not drink too much caffeine, spicy foods or alcohol consumption. Everyone can dry out the mouth. Chewing gum or sucking hard candy, preferably without sugar, to produce more saliva. For the constant dryness in the mouth, your healthcare provider may prescribe an artificial saliva preparation or a medicine you take by mouth, that increases the flow of saliva.
  • Change your diet. Stay away from foods such as onions and garlic can cause bad breath. Eat a lot of sugary foods are also linked to bad breath.
  • Replace your toothbrush. Change your toothbrush when they are worn out, approximately every 3 to 4 months, or sooner, as needed. Also, choose a soft-bristled brush.
  • Schedule regular dental checkups. See your dentist regularly — usually about twice a year. During these visits, your dentist can see it in their teeth or dentures and clean them.

Preparing for your appointment

If you are going to see your dentist about bad breath, these tips can help:

  • Dentists usually prefer morning appointments to the test for bad breath. This reduces the chances that the food that you eat during the day will affect the test.
  • Do not use perfumes, scented lotions, or scented lipstick or lip gloss of your appointment. These products can mask the odors.
  • If you've taken antibiotics in the last month, check with your dentist to see if you need to change your appointment.

What to expect from your dentist

Your dentist will likely start by asking about your medical history, with questions such as:

  • When you started to have bad breath?
  • Does your bad breath is occur sometimes or all the time?
  • How often do you brush your teeth or clean your dentures?
  • How often do you floss?
  • What type of food you consume most often?
  • What medications and supplements do you take?
  • What health conditions do you have?
  • Mainly breathe through the mouth?
  • Do you snore?
  • Do you have any allergies or sinus problems?
  • What do you think could be the cause of your bad breath?
  • Other people have noticed and commented on your bad breath?

Be ready to answer these questions so that you can make the most of your appointment time.

Symptoms and treatment of Bad breath