Bad Breath - Facts and Prevention

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 Carlos Chong D.D.S. 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 Carlos Chong D.D.S. 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 Carlos Chong D.D.S. 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.