Bad
Breath Explained
What causes bad breath?
Bad breath is a very real concern for just about every one of us. Depending
on diet, oral care, and other factors will determine your risk of experiencing
bad breath. Use the info below to virtually eliminate bad breath altogether.
The food that you eat affects the air you exhale. Some foods, such as
garlic and onions, contribute to breath odor. Once food is assimilated
into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs, where it is released
from your body.
Brushing, flossing and the use of mouthwash only serve to temporarily
mask your bad breath.
Bad breath continues until the food is expelled from your body. People
who diet could develop bad breath from infrequent eating. If you don't
brush and floss daily, small pieces of food remain in your mouth, attracting
bacteria, which causes bad breath. Food that collects between the teeth,
on the tongue and around the gums can even rot, causing bad breath.
Dentures that aren't cleaned properly can also store odor-causing bacteria
and small pieces of food.
One of the warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease is persistent
bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth. Periodontal disease is caused
by plaque: the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms
on teeth. The bacteria then creates toxins that irritate the gums and
mouth. In the advanced stage of periodontal (gum) disease, the gums,
bone and other structures that support the teeth become damaged.
By visiting Mira Costa Dental for regular dental checkups, your dentist
can detect and treat periodontal disease early. Before it causes damage
to your oral health.
Bad breath is also caused by dry mouth (xerostomia) or when the flow
of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to regularly cleanse your mouth
and remove any particles that could cause bad breath. Dry mouth is caused
by various medications, salivary gland problems or continuously breathing
through the mouth, rather than equally through the nose also. If you
experience repeated dry mouth, your dentist can prescribe an artificial
saliva, or suggest using sugarless candy and increasing your fluid intake
to restore proper oral health.
Tobacco products are also known to cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce
one's ability to taste foods and irritate gum tissues. Tobacco users
are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease and are at greater
risk for developing oral cancer. If you use tobacco, we urge you to
ask your dentist for tips on how to quit. Your oral (and cardiovascular)
health are seriously impaired when using tobacco products.
Eliminating periodontal disease and maintaining good oral health is
essential to reducing bad breath. Schedule regular dental visits for
a professional cleaning and checkup. If you think you have constant
bad breath, keep a log of the foods you eat and make a list of medications
you take. Some medications may play a role in creating mouth odors.
Let your dentist know if you've had any surgery or illness since your
last appointment.
QUICK TIP Brush twice a day with a fluoride
toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush your tongue, too.
Floss at least once a day to effectively clean between teeth. If you
wear removable dentures, take them out at night. Clean them thoroughly
before replacing them the next morning.
Mouthwashes are nothing more than a temporary fix and do not have a
long-lasting impact on eliminating bad breath. If you regularly use
a breath freshener to mask your bad breath, please see your dentist.
If you need extra help in controlling plaque, your dentist could suggest
using a special antimicrobial mouthrinse. A fluoride mouthrinse, used
along with brushing and flossing, can also help prevent tooth decay.
How Can I Eliminate Bad Breath?
By visiting Mira Costa Dental for your regular checkups. This allows
your dentist to detect and treat any problems such as gum disease, a
dry mouth or other disorders that may be to blame. Maintaining proper
oral hygiene, eliminating gum disease and scheduling regular professional
cleanings are key factors in eliminating bad breath from your life.
Regardless of what causes your bad breath, proper oral hygiene is necessary
to maintaining good oral health. Brush twice a day and clean between
your teeth daily with floss or special dental cleaners. Be sure to brush
your tongue also. If you wear dentures, be sure to take them off at
night and clean them completely before putting them on again the next
morning.
What is the treatment for bad breath?
If your dentist determines that your mouth is generally healthy and
that the bad breath is not of an oral origin, you may be referred to
your own family doctor or to a specialist to identify the cause of your
bad breath and for treatment. If your bad breath is of an oral origin,
as it is in most cases, your dentist will treat the problem once and
for all.
If the odor is due to gum disease, your dentist will treat the disease,
as the dentists at Mira Costa Dental are specialists in treating damaged
gum tissues. Gum disease causes gum tissue to separate from the teeth
and form unnatural pockets. When these pockets are deep, only a complete,
professional periodontal cleaning will remove the bacteria and plaque
that have accumulated. In certain cases, more extensive treatment is
necessary.
back to procedures page
