4 Possible Causes Of Your Bad Breath And How Dental Treatments Can Help
Posted on: 8 March 2018
Frequent bad breath is embarrassing. You may keep your distance from people and chew gum constantly so you don't offend anyone. Bad breath can be caused by food such as garlic and onions, but when you have bad breath often and don't know why, you should talk to your dentist. Here are some more information on causes of bad breath.
Tooth Decay
If you have decayed teeth, they might be giving you bad breath. You should have your cavities repaired even if you just have small ones. Large cavities may need more complex treatment, and they can be a source of foul odors that won't go away with mouthwash or chewing gum. The odor comes from the bacteria in the decaying enamel and until the teeth are repaired, you'll have frequent problems with bad breath.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth can be a side effect of medication and it can be a symptom of a medical condition. When you have dry mouth, you don't have enough saliva to wash away bacteria and that causes bad breath. The odor may come from your teeth, gums, or tongue. You should let your dentist know if you have dry mouth so you can be treated for it. Some treatments include medication to stimulate saliva and the use of artificial saliva. Even sucking on ice chips can help keep your mouth moist and reduce bad breath.
Gum Disease
One symptom of gum disease is bad breath. Gum disease begins when plaque and tartar build up on your teeth and irritate your gums. This causes them to become inflamed and pull away from your teeth and form pockets. These pockets fill with infection and the bacteria give you bad breath. When gum disease is caught early, it can often be reversed by deep cleaning your teeth. Seeking treatment early is important because when the condition is advanced, you could need surgery.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Another common cause of bad breath is simply poor oral hygiene. You should brush and floss daily and brush your tongue as well. If you don't brush as often as you should because it causes pain, let your dentist know. You may need treatment for sensitive teeth so you can care for your teeth and gums the way you should. Also, avoid sugary drinks and foods as well as sticky foods, since these encourage bacteria to grow unless you brush right after eating them. Good oral hygiene not only keeps bad breath at bay, it also prevents gum disease and tooth decay that can cause bad breath that won't go away without treatment.
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