Do you have bad breath? If so, what's causing it? Bad breath is not only unpleasant and all too common, it is also very embarrassing. We will now take a look at the top 10 causes of bad breath.
Oral Hygiene
To reduce bad breath, it is essential that you maintain good oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene can be a major contributor to bad breath and can also play a major role in other illnesses. Harmful bacteria can attack the enamel on your teeth resulting in tooth decay. Therefore, it is very important to brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis. Microorganisms can reside in your toothbrush and infect your mouth. Because of this you should make sure to clean your toothbrush regularly and change it every few months. You should make a point to visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning.
Morning Breath
Saliva production slows way down during sleep and odor-causing bacteria begin to breed resulting in the kiss of death when you wake up in the morning. In addition, your mouth may feel dry and grimy. In an attempt to keep your mouth somewhat refreshed through the night, you should brush and floss your teeth right before bedtime. Saliva is known to act as a natural mouthwash, therefore try breathing through your nose as much as possible so as to prevent this natural mouthwash from drying out. If you are aware of the fact that you have bad breath, the best way of riding your mouth of the foul odor is to brush your teeth.
Foods You've Eaten
Onions and garlic, foods with strong aromatic flavors, will affect the air you exhale if you have just eaten them. Once you start chewing food, enzymes in the saliva in your mouth will begin the digestion process. This food once absorbed into the bloodstream, is transferred into the lungs resulting in a foul odor as you exhale out. Sucking on a breath mint, brushing or rinsing with mouthwash only helps to mask these foul odors minimally. You can help eliminate bad breath by avoiding the following food types; meat, sugar, spicy foods, dairy products and high-fat foods.
Sinus Infection And Allergies
The proteins found in phlegm and mucous often attract odor causing bacteria. Your sinuses are known to produce additional mucous when you have allergies, sinus infection or a head cold. You may notice that your breath has a foul odor as this extra mucous trickles down the back of your throat.
Gum Disease
Gum disease, is a bacterial infection known as periodontal disease and resides in the tissue that surround your teeth. Because of this buildup of bacteria, and the infected gums, people who have this are more likely to have persistent bad breath. The American Dental Association encourages people to visit their dentist if they suspect that they may have gum disease, especially if you are unable to get rid of the bad breath, even after repeatedly brushing and flossing your teeth.
Dry Mouth
Another dental disease called dry mouth or xerostomia, occurs when the saliva flow in your mouth decreases. Saliva, is the body's method of removing food particles and cleansing the mouth. Medical conditions, such as salivary gland problems, occur when you continuously breath through your mouth and not your nose. This can also lead to bad breath. One method to battle a dry mouth is by chewing sugarless gum. This helps your mouth make saliva and washes away bacteria.
Smoking
Smoking affects saliva flow in the mouth that causes dry mouth as well as leaving behind bad breath that smells similar to an ashtray. Smoking not only causes bad breath, it can also lead to heart disease and also a variety of cancers, including oral cancer.
Untreated Medical Conditions
Postnasal drip, chronic sinusitis, diabetes, and chronic bronchitis are serious diseases. Persistent bad breath can be a sign that you have one of these serious illnesses. You may be referred to another doctor if your dentist determines that your bad breath is not the result of any mouth diseases.
Dentures
Just like natural teeth, dentures should be treated the same and a good oral hygiene program should be followed. Spaces between the denture and gum tissue can provide an excellent home for bacteria and food particles Unpleasant odors will be released as bacteria grows and food particles break down. Dentures should be removed and cleaned after each meal and your gums should be gently brushed to help eliminate any odor-causing bacteria. Even though you may have dentures, it is still important to visit your dentist on a regular basis to make sure your gums are healthy.
Tongue
A common cause of bad breath is your tongue. Food particles, bacteria and post-nasal drip can accumulate on the "fur" of your tongue creating ideal conditions for breeding bacteria. Your toothbrush was designed to clean teeth, not tongues. Therefore, you should look for a tongue cleaning device. The sludge that collects on the surface of your tongue should be cleaned with an oral-hygiene device such as a tongue cleaner or tongue scraper. The quality of your breath can be enhanced by cleaning your tongue on a regular basis.
BAD BREATH
Our website strives to offer trusted reviews and information on how we can battle a problem that everyone has suffered at one time or another, bad breath. We will take a look at various causes and cures that hopefully will assist you if you are suffering from this dilemma.
.jpg)
Comments :
0 comments to “Bad Breath - Top 10 Causes”
Post a Comment