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The staff at The Foleck Center sees thousands of patients every year for a wide variety of dental issues and problems. One of the more common oral health problems is halitosis. In fact, dental professionals believe that over 80 million people suffer from the problem of bad breath. However, bad breath is more than just a minor inconvenience, it can also be a critical warning sign of major oral health issues and/or poor oral hygiene habits.
What Causes Halitosis?
Halitosis is a problem that can be caused by a variety of different factors. Bacteria, left-over food particles, and poor oral hygiene are the most common causes of bad mouth odors. Once food particles reach certain levels in your mouth, they produce a compound that has a sulfur odor. The odor doesn’t just signal bad breath, it also means bacteria is increasing as well. This is why it is very important to keep your mouth clean. Simply brushing and flossing after meals can help reduce that bad taste in your mouth and keep your oral health in check.
Another thing that could be creating halitosis is foods that have strong odors. In particular, foods containing garlic and onions can stay on your breath for days after you eat them. This is due in large part to the fact that odors from foods and drinks do not go away until the foods have been completely digested. These foods can sometimes take days, so fouls odors can stay on your breath for up to three days after consumption.
How Bad Breath Could Actually Signal Overall Health Problems
If you have chronic bad breath or often experience a bad taste in your mouth, it could actually be a warning sign of serious problems with your dental health. Dental issues like cavities, gum disease, chronic sinus infections, periodontal disease, oral yeast infections, and poorly-fitting dental appliances can also cause bad breath. Some additional causes of halitosis are: postnasal drip, acid reflux, dry mouth, diabetes, liver or kidney problems, bronchitis, or pneumonia.
Saliva Can Help Combat Bad Breath
Proper amounts of saliva in the mouth help keep odors at bay by removing food particles and dangerous bacteria from your mouth and between your teeth. This is why it is so important to drink enough water and use lubricant mouthwashes if your mouth is dry. Additionally, one of the primary reasons you have “morning breath” is because saliva production slows and bacteria increases inside of your mouth while you sleep. So wake up, brush your teeth, and have a glass of water to cut bad breath odors.
The Best Ways To Fight Bad Breath
According to dentists, the best method for combating bad breath is simply brushing, flossing, and using a good quality mouthwash. Other ways to fight bad breath are:
Scraping your tongue after eating and at least once per day.
Chewing sugar-free gum between meals or after eating when you cannot brush.
Using a high-quality fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash.
Keeping your dental devices clean and fresh by brushing or cleaning them every time you use them.
Don’t Skip The Check-Ups With Your Dentist
Seeing a dentist regularly may be an inconvenience for you and your family. However, regular dental check-ups are an important part of preventative care because they can help detect problems, reduce plaque, and decrease dangerous bacteria levels in your mouth. Your dentists can also help determine the source of your bad breath, recommend products to eliminate symptoms, and refer you to an additional specialist if your bad breath is not oral health related.
Come See Dr. Foleck For All Your Oral Health Care Needs
Halitosis can be an embarrassing problem for our patients, but it can only get worse if it is left untreated. Fortunately, halitosis is curable in most instances and preventable in many of our patients. Accordingly, the staff at The Foleck Center would like to encourage their patients to learn more about the importance of regular dental maintenance. Dental implants are one exceptional dental treatment that provides all kinds of amazing benefits. If you live in the Norfolk or Hampton, VA areas, come see us for your dental implants consultation and get started on a better quality of dental health today.