What Is Halitosis?
Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, can result for many reasons. The most common reason for halitosis is poor oral hygiene but it may also be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of food we eat or unhealthy lifestyle habits. Tired of having bad breath? Here’s what you need to know.
Looking for advice on Halitosis? Contact the team at Cambridge City Dental today!
What Causes Bad Breath?
There are multiple causes of bad breath. To put it simply, all the food we eat is broken down in the mouth. As foods are digested and absorbed into the bloodstream, they are carried to your lungs and given off in your breath. If you eat foods with strong odors such as onions or garlic, brushing, flossing or even mouthwash merely covers up the odor. The odor will not go away completely until the food has passed through the body.
Poor Dental Hygiene
If you do not brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth between teeth, around gums, and on the tongue. This is the main cause of bad breath. In addition, odour causing bacteria and food particles can cause bad breath if dentures are not properly cleaned. Practicing good oral hygiene and using products such as antibacterial mouthwashes can help to reduce bacteria.
Tobacco
Smoking or chewing tobacco based products can not only cause bad breath, stain teeth, irritate the gums and also reduce your ability to taste foods. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of gum disease which is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. Bacteria cause the formation of toxins to form, which irritate the gums. If gum disease continues and is left untreated, it can cause damage to the gums and even lead to tooth loss.
Medical Conditions
A medical condition known as dry mouth or Xerostomia can also result in bad breath. You need enough saliva to moisten the mouth, neutralise acids that produce plaque, and wash away any dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may also be a side effect of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous bad breath throughout the mouth.
Many other diseases and illnesses can cause bad breath such as respiratory tract infections, chronic sinus infections, postnasal drip, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease, liver or kidney problems.
Is Halitosis Different From Morning Breath?
Most people experience morning breath. Morning breath is often caused by a build-up of oral bacteria, food particles, and saliva. Typically morning breath is not considered a cause for concern as the mouth naturally cleans itself during the day from exposure to air and eating foods. Halitosis symptoms on the other hand will often persist throughout the day.
What Are Halitosis Symptoms?
People with halitosis may also experience the following:
Mouth odour
Bad taste in the mouth
Dry mouth
Tooth decay or gum disease
It's important to note that symptoms will vary from person to person and not everyone will experience the same symptoms.
How Do You Treat Halitosis?
Before treating halitosis, it’s important to find out what is causing your bad breath. For some, it might be simply poor oral hygiene. For others, underlying health conditions may be causing bad breath.
When halitosis is caused by poor oral hygiene, improving your daily oral care routine may be all that is needed. This includes visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups, brushing your teeth including your tongue, using dental floss daily, and drinking plenty of water. You can also try to avoid certain foods that may be contributing to the problem, such as garlic or onions. It’s important to remember that nobody else can notice your bad breath if you cannot detect it yourself
If your bad breath persists, it may be time to book an appointment with your dentist. They will be able to examine your teeth and gums, identify the underlying cause that may be causing halitosis, and discuss treatment options.