Bad breath, or malodor, is also known to professionals as halitosis. While one may get used to the smell of his own mouth, it is certainly off-putting to others.
Causes of bad breath may be systemic or external. External causes are intakes of things like alcohol or tobacco, or naturally pungent foods (onion or garlic, for instance). We’ve all experienced these temporary, smelly issues. However, such bad odors should die out soon if it was a casual intake. Regular consumption for an extended period may cause a semi-permanent effect, but if the smell persists, there may be a deeper problem.
Bad breath can sometimes point to a systemic malfunction. A biological malfunction somewhere in the body can cause it, and must not be ignored. The root cause must be identified and treated at the first available opportunity. A whiff of your breath can help your doctor determine whether your problem is physical rather than just social. Here are what three certain types of bad breath can mean:
- Sweet and fruity: Diabetes
- Ammonia/urine: Kidney failure
- Rotten eggs: Cirrhosis of the liver
Do you know the sniff test is a helpful part of the dental examination that can help tell whether the bad odor is coming from a nose or sinus disorder versus a mouth or lung disorder? If you have concerns
Systemic causes of bad breath will either be associated with the alimentary canal and the organs feeding it, or, rarely, it may be in the respiratory tract. Your Carrollton dentist specialists can easily do this for you if you have concerns. The primary suspect in the case of bad breath is the oral cavity, which is the near end of the alimentary canal.
More Common Causes of Breath Odor
Though bodily problems can cause bad breath, it’s rare. By far, the greatest and most frequent cause of bad breath is lack of care and good oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing of the teeth is a very simple, ordinary process, but it is absolutely important for our general health in the long run. Many individuals tend to ignore this essential activity just because it is so simple, but do not realize that the long term effects can be drastic and costly. The result of poor oral hygiene will not be restricted to bad odor; it can lead to pain, costly dental treatment, and even loss of teeth. Loss of teeth means loss of chewing ability, and that means poor intake, resulting in weakness and disease.
In the mouth, the main cause of bad breath is sulfur producing bacteria. Saliva, apart from its cleansing properties, tends to suppress bacteria by ensuring better supply of oxygen to the mouth. Further, saliva tends to neutralize the acid produced by the plaque bacteria. It clears away accumulated dead cells from the gums and the tongue. If not taken care of, these cells undergo decomposition, causing bad breath and disease.
Bad breath may sometimes be caused by dry mouth. Dry mouth, also called Xerostomia, can occur for many reasons, including alcoholic beverages, breathing through the mouth, etc.
Treatment of Bad Breath
The treatment of bad breath can include both immediate measures and long-term procedures.
Mouth fresheners in various forms, chewing sweet smelling herbs and their seeds, or chewing gum will give a temporary relief. But the cause must be diagnosed and treated. If it relates to digestive system, the physician will take care of it. But most often it will be due to continued poor oral care, and the dentist will have to intervene.
It must be stressed that brushing and flossing regularly, at least twice a day, especially after food and beverage intake will avoid the causes of bad breath. If brushing and flossing is not possible at a given occasion, rubbing and cleaning with the fingers and thorough rinsing with water should be practiced.
You can control the smell of your breath with the right habits and keeping healthy. We hope this article helped you to be aware of the best tactics and informed you of any possible health concerns to be aware of. As always, please feel free to ask us any questions about breathe problems when you come in for your next dental exam.
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