Halitosis is a medical term for bad breath. However, you don’t need to be a medical geek to know what it is. It’s something we all face in our lifetime, and it can be embarrassing sometimes. In fact, it is because of halitosis that we see shelves in supermarkets stocked with stuff that can combat bad breath. However, these products only help you fight bad breath;Most of them don’t address the root causes of your bad breath. Therefore, let’s discuss some of the causes of bad breath.
Eating Something Smelly:
Some foods we relish have an intrinsic odor. When we digest them, they enter our bloodstream, and from there, they enter our lungs. Thus, it results in a lingering bad breath. Eventually, the odor starts to wane as the food gets out of our system. Food such as onion and garlic are the prime suspect of lasting and strong bad breath. Here are a few other food products that result in bad breath:
- Cheese
- Pastrami
- Certain Juices
- Certain Spices
- Alcohol
Moreover, those on a diet may also experience bad breath because their body burns down fat for energy. Consequently, the metabolism of fat also leads to bad breath.
Smoking:
Smokers are notorious for their bad breath. Moreover, smoking also leads to gum diseases that can further increase the presence of bad breath.
Poor Dental Hygiene:
Poor dental hygiene is the leading cause of a smelly mouth. Food remains will linger in our mouths when we don’t floss, brush, or use mouthwash regularly. Thus, this invites bacteria for a feast, and can eventually lead to odor and plaque buildup. This can be a problem since plaque buildup hardens into tartar and can lead to bone and jaw damage. Unfortunately, your tongue also hosts several odor-producing bacteria.
However, it is easy to avoid all that just by brushing your teeth at least twice per day and flossing after every meal. You can also try using an antiseptic mouthwash, as these can mask bad breath and get rid of some troubling germs.
Dry Mouth:
A dry mouth occurs when the saliva production slumps. Specifically, a low concentration of saliva can’t clean your mouth effectively. Thus, some food particles won’t be dislodged and will stay back and emanate a bad odor. This condition most commonly occurs during the night, so many of us have to bear with a smelly morning breath. Sometimes a dry mouth can occur due to any underlying condition such as diabetes.
Infection in the mouth or throat:
At times, an infection can arise after a dental surgery or implants. This can also contribute to your bad breath. Similarly, throat or sinus infections can add to foul smells. Other conditions like tonsils can also add up to this.
Conclusion:
Sometimes remedies for bad breath are as simple as reducing the amount of garlic you intake. However, it can sometimes be due to a serious infection that you can’t remedy or treat easily. Hence, if your bad breath is always by your side, it would be best to give the dentist a visit. You can rely on Bayside Dental for an accurate diagnosis.To learn more about what we can do to help, call us today at 979-330-4113.