What causes bad breath (halitosis) and could it be a symptom of other issues?
Having bad breath can be embarrassing and harmful to our health if it is chronic. There are several causes for bad breath (otherwise known as halitosis) that range from lifestyle to serious medical conditions. Let’s discuss these situations in greater detail below.
Smelly Breath from Smelly Foods
It is a logical occurrence for people to develop bad breath after they eat pungent foods. Foods like garlic, onions, fish, and even cheese can all break down into small particles that continue to emit odors from the mouth as the enzymes in saliva continue to digest the particles.
This is the main reason why the market for breath mints is so large and why you may be given a breath mint after a meal. If you want to avoid halitosis, be careful what you eat or cleanse your palette with something refreshing afterwards. Brushing with a toothpaste that contains baking soda can leave a fresher taste in your mouth by absorbing odors in the same manner that it works in your refrigerator. Using a mouthwash that contains peroxide is another alternative to kill bacteria and heal any sores that are developing from it.
Periodontitis (Gum Disease)
Halitosis can also be a sign of the bacteria in your mouth thriving in pockets along the gumline or between the teeth. It is the telltale sign of periodontitis that forms when you do not maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. It usually starts out with inflammation created by irritants surrounding the teeth. If left to progress, it can lead to tooth loss by damaging the teeth and jawbone. If your gums bleed when you brush, you are probably suffering from gingivitis and should promptly schedule a dental checkup with the professional Saskatoon dentists at Midtown Dental Clinic Saskatoon.
If periodontitis is left unchecked, it may need to be addressed by forms of periodontal and oral surgery. Smoking cigarettes and using tobacco products are also a high risk factor for both periodontitis and the accompanying halitosis.
Bacteria in All Forms
Even if you are brushing regularly, you may still have halitosis from cavities, sinus infections, dental appliances, and yeast infections in your mouth. It is common for the Saskatoon dentists to see patients who have bright red spots on the back of their throats or around teeth due to bacteria accumulating in broken fillings, poor fitting appliances, or bad root canals with coronal leakage. This can possibly be due to a crack or other hiding spots for bacteria.
The bacteria will cause chronic inflammation in your mouth as your body signals you that something is wrong. That something is the bacteria growing in places where it is not easily cleaned or cured. Sinus infections are very hard to clear up without antibiotic treatments because the sinuses are naturally humid and warm, the ideal breeding spot for opportunistic infections. Pneumonia, bronchitis, and even acid reflux can all release odors through your sinuses and other passages connected to your mouth.
Other Causes of Halitosis
You may suffer from increased bacterial growth from a dry mouth. This happens when you take certain medications, breathe through your mouth from sinus conditions, or have salivary gland problems for another reason. The saliva is necessary to wash away the decomposing dead cells that accumulate in the mouth and to neutralize the acids produced by vial bacteria colonies. A dental checkup is the easiest way to determine the source of halitosis and whether you need improved oral hygiene or significant oral surgery to correct it.
Where to Go for Treatment
Luckily for residents of Saskatoon, there are general dentists for kids and adults available to perform dental treatment from checkups to cosmetic dentistry. Midtown Dental Clinic Saskatoon provides the frontlines of treatment to pinpoint and combat bacterial and dry mouth conditions that decay teeth. Dry mouth from medications can work to dissolve teeth overnight because the acids from the bacteria are eating away at the teeth all night and day as the bacteria is not washed away. Sucking on ice cubes, dry mouth aides and keeping hydrated at all times is the only method of preserving optimal oral hygiene in a dry mouth environment.
When you are ready to make the switch to expert care that comprehensively considers the source of your oral health issues, call Midtown Dental Clinic for general and cosmetic dentistry Saskatoon. They have numerous dentists for kids and adults who can save you and your children from developing unhealthy oral habits that will incur permanent damage on teeth.
