Beware of Bad Breath

Have you ever found yourself talking to someone and could not bear to be too close to them due to their bad breath? Or worse, are you a victim of bad breath?

You are not alone. More than 80 million people are afflicted with bad breath, also known as halitosis. In the majority of cases, the sources of bad breath are the tongue and gums. Poor oral hygiene, gum disease, or oral bacterial waste, food particles, and other debris are what cause that unpleasant odor. Other possible sources of bad breath are those suffering from a medical infection, organ malfunction or dry mouth. Even stress, age, hormonal changes, snoring, and dieting can affect the freshness of your breath. Spicy or pungent foods, such as onions and garlic, and strong drinks, such as coffee, can remain on a person’s breath for up to 72 hours.

In order to keep the odor under control, saliva is a key player in washing away any food or bacteria that could lead to bad breath. While you sleep, saliva production is decreased significantly allowing bacteria to grow inside your mouth. To avoid “morning mouth,” it is of utmost importance to brush your teeth and eat breakfast. Skipping breakfast can cause “morning mouth” to reappear even if you already brushed your teeth.

Take Control

Practicing good oral hygiene, as in brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day, will eliminate any bacteria or food particles that may cause bad breath. Brushing the tongue, cheeks, and roof of the mouth especially are essential to fight bad breath. Flossing can remove any bacteria that has accumulated in between the teeth, which without proper flossing, may be another cause of bad breath. Additionally, chewing sugar-free gum may also control the development of bad breath. Any removable appliance, such as a denture or mouthguard, should be cleaned meticulously prior to placing back into the mouth.

Dr. Dellinger and his team are determined to get your teeth and gums healthy. It’s important to make your teeth cleaning appointments regularly to eliminate odor causing plaque and tartar that build up on the teeth and to decrease your risk of gum disease. By maintaining healthy teeth and gums, we can assure you that bad breath is significantly less likely to be an issue.