Bad Breath Know How To Kick This Embarrassment

Have you ever found yourself not feeling very fresh while at work or with friends? If that is the case, you're not alone. Studies show that 50 percent of the people have had bad breath as an experience at some point in their lives.

Bad breath has become a reason for self-consciousness in people these days. Breath mints and gums are temporary solutions opted by a lot of people. The cause of bad breath can vary from food habits to poor oral hygiene. Here we have all the info you may need with regards to bad breath.

What is bad breath?

Bad breath, also called halitosis, is a presence of foul or unpleasant smell coming from a person's mouth. It can be a reason for anxiety and psychological distress among people. Bad breath could be temporary and can be caused on occasions or can be a chronic defect.

Bad Breath

Bad breath could affect anyone regardless of their age and gender, and in some people, it can be recurrent. It is one of the most common reasons why people visit dentists. It mostly associated with poor dental hygiene. Sometimes halitosis can be cured by simple home remedies, but if the bad breath persists you might require a visit to the dental office.

There are different types of halitosis:

1. Genuine halitosis: This is the most common type of halitosis that can easily be detected by smelling the mouth with the nose.
2. Pseudohalitosis: This is a condition where bad breath doesn't exist, but the patient has a misconception about it. Smelling or testing cannot detect the bad breath. The patient is counseled to treat this condition.
3. Halitophobia: Halitophobia usually occurs in patients who have been treated for genuine halitosis or pseudo halitosis. The patient thinks the condition persists even though he/she has been successfully treated.

When to see a doctor?

Symptoms of halitosis are straightforward to detect. The type of odor can vary depending upon the underlying cause. People can identify their bad breath by asking someone else to smell their breath. Another way of checking if your breath smells bad when no one is around is to lick your wrist with your tongue and let it dry. Then sniff your wrist and if it stinks then your breath might be stinky too. Other symptoms include:

• Unpleasant change in taste or sour taste
• Presence of coating on the tongue
• Drying of mouth

Wellington Dentist, Dr. Sam Sadati recommends that you should immediately visit a doctor if your bad breath is accompanied by:

• Sore mouth
• Pain during chewing or swallowing
• Fever
• Fatigue
• White spots on tonsils
• Dental pain

What causes the bad breath?

These are the possible causes of bad breath:

• Food: Food mostly after breaking down gets stuck to or between the teeth. The production of bacteria eventually starts causing odors. Specific food like garlic, onions and some spices are known to cause bad breath. Alcohol and other strong smelling drinks also contribute to halitosis. These types of smell are usually temporary and can be removed by proper dental cleaning.
• Tobacco and its products: Smoking and tobacco products cause a terrible smell. Smokers not only have bad breath but also are victims of dental stains, reduced sense of taste and gum diseases which is another reason for halitosis. The bad breath can be cured by ceasing the use of tobacco.
• Poor oral hygiene: Not brushing or flossing on a regular basis can cause accumulation of food debris and plaque on the teeth surfaces. Plaque can lead to periodontitis and other problems like the presence of layers on the tongue which leads to bad breath. Unclean dentures are also a reason for halitosis.
• Dry mouth: Dry mouth or absence of saliva can be a cause halitosis as saliva is a natural mouth cleanser and removes particles that could cause odor.
• Medications: Certain medications can contribute to mouth odor by causing dry mouth.

Other potential reasons include:

• Infections in the mouth.
• Crash diets.
• Throat and nose infections.
• Other medical conditions.

Treatments

Brushing Teeth

Treatment for halitosis as per American Dental Association includes:

• Regular brushing and flossing.
• Cleaning dentures daily.
• Quitting smoking and chewing tobacco.
• Drinking plenty of water.
• Avoiding certain food.
• Use of sugarless chewing gums.
• Brushing of the tongue.
• Treatment of infection and other medical issues.

Related Article: Keep Your Mouth Healthy

If your inferior breath concerns you, then contact your dentist immediately. Your doctor can help you in identifying the cause and suggest you a treatment plan accordingly.