When you’re plagued by bad breath, carrying on a simple conversation could be an embarrassing experience. You could keep your distance or try to cover up the problem, or you could get to the bottom of it once and for all. If you’re tired of popping breath mints all the time, continue reading to learn three common causes of bad breath and what you can do about it.
1. Poor Habits
Sometimes bad breath can be chalked up to poor hygienic habits. The most obvious and easiest to address is daily brushing and flossing. If you already brush twice a day and floss once a day, perhaps you simply need a more effective routine. For example, you may consider adding a dentist-approved anti-bacterial mouthwash to your regimen or even try using a tongue scraper. If you wear dentures, your bad breath could also be caused by improper cleaning habits.
2. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)
The mouth naturally produces saliva to help counteract acids and wash away food debris that can feed harmful bacteria. It also helps to rinse away dead cells from the tongue and inner cheeks. When the mouth is unusually dry, it can prevent this process, allowing bacteria to accumulate and dead cells to decompose in the mouth. The result is perpetually bad breath that returns despite regular brushing and flossing.
To eliminate this type of bad breath, you must first determine the cause of the dry mouth. In some cases, dry mouth is the side effect of a medication and may be remedied with a prescription medication that helps stimulate the production of saliva. The condition can also be exacerbated by lifestyle factors, such as alcohol consumption and tobacco usage. In other cases, it can be the result of an underlying medical condition like a respiratory infection or a liver or kidney problem. In these instances, it is important to seek medical treatment to address the issue at its source.
3. Decay and Gum Disease
Bad breath is sometimes more than just a nuisance – it could also be the sign of an oral health problem, too. This is especially true when halitosis is caused by the bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease. Bad breath may be caused by decay or gum disease if you notice it is particularly persistent or difficult to eliminate for an extended period of time. In these cases, treatment is largely dependent upon the extent of the decay or gum disease. In some cases, bad breath treatment may be as simple as removing decayed tooth matter or treating bacteria with an antibiotic. In more severe cases, it may be necessary to perform more extensive treatments, such as root canal, extraction, or scaling and root planning.
Bad Breath Treatment in Houston
Why live with chronic bad breath when professional treatment is available? Give us a call here at Briter Dental to find out how a simple visit to our top dentists could provide you with the relief you’ve been searching for.
