What To Do When Bad Breath Becomes A Major Problem

Posted by ridgetopdental on January 16th, 2014

Bad breath or halitosis can be detrimental to one's self-image and confidence causing social, emotional and psychological problems. Usually, bad breadth has oral origin, which can be easily cured by a dental expert. But, sometimes bad breath may be due an underlying health issue which needs further treatment. So, here’s an informative article on bad breath and the ways to tackle it.  

Causes of bad breath:  

• Food: Some foods, such as garlic, onions, and spicy foods, exotic spices (such as curry), some cheeses, fish, and acidic beverages such as coffee can leave a lingering smell, which causes bad breath.

• Poor oral hygiene: According to the experienced dentists in Herndon VA, if you don't brush and floss teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, which promotes bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath.

• Mouth breathing: Any condition that dries the tissues of the mouth, preventing saliva from washing away bacteria, encourages bad breath. Candidates include sleep apnea, snoring, and asthma.

• Skipping Breakfast: Surprisingly, skipping breakfast may also be the cause of your bad breath. Eating breakfast helps quell morning breath by stimulating saliva production and scrubbing bacteria from the tongue.

• Smoking and chewing tobacco: Smoking and chewing tobacco can leave chemicals that remain in the mouth. Smoking can also precipitate other bad-breath causes such as gum disease or oral cancers.

• Respiratory tract infections: Tooth and gum infections are recognized sources of bad breath. But so are bronchitis, sinusitis, and even a cold. RTIs break down tissue, starting a flow of cells and mucus that feed bacteria that create foul odors.

• Gum diseases: Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be warning signs of gum (periodontal) disease, say Ridgetop Dental’s dentist in Leesburg VA. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. The bacteria cause toxins to form in the mouth, which irritate the gums. If gum disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and jawbone.

• Xerostomia or dry mouth: Saliva is necessary to moisten and cleanse the mouth by neutralizing acids produced by plaque and washing away dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be caused by the side effects of various medications, salivary gland problems.

Treatment:

• The most effective treatment is usually improving your dental hygiene, like brushing your teeth, flossing in between your teeth and cleaning your tongue.

• If you wear dentures, you should take them out at night to give your mouth a chance to rest. Clean your dentures thoroughly before putting them in the next morning.

• Make sure you visit your dentist for regular check-ups. Don’t let bad breath become a major problem for you, visit Ridgetop Dental’s centre for cosmetic and general dentistry. Ridgetop Dental’s Northern Virginia dentists can recommend the best way to clean your teeth and gums and point out any areas you might be missing. They can also identify any signs of gum disease and ensure that they are treated early.

To know more, visit- http://www.ridgetopdental.com/