Breath mints, mouthwash, and flavored gum: the products designed specifically to combat bad breath are endless! And for a good reason: between 35 and 45 percent of people in the world suffer from some level of halitosis. Researchers estimate that over 80 million Americans suffer from chronic halitosis. Bad breath, or halitosis, can be embarrassing and may cause reason for concern. However, by understanding the cause behind bad breath, you’ll be better equipped to address the issue.
You might realize that soon after eating certain foods, you may experience bad breath. But what can you do? Certainly you can’t stop eating! But did you know that there are elements other than food that can contribute to bad breath? Here are some factors can cause halitosis:
- Food– Tiny food particles can breakdown in and around your teeth can increase the production of bacteria which will cause a foul odor. To avoid halitosis-causing food, try to steer clear from onions, garlic, and spices. After you digest the food, it enters into the bloodstream, travels to the lungs, and affects the breath.
- Tobacco products– The smoke from a tobacco product causes an unpleasant odor. Combine the tobacco’s natural odor with gum disease and poor dental hygiene, and you may experience chronic bad breath.
- Poor dental hygiene– Poor dental hygiene such as: not flossing or brushing daily can leave food particles within the mouth. The build up of such particles can encourage the growth of bacteria that causes a repelling odor.
- Dry mouth– Saliva is nature’s way of cleaning out our mouths. Without a regulated production of saliva in the mouth, your mouth will be unable to clean the leftover food particles out.
- Medication– Unfortunately, some medications prescribed can indirectly produce bad breath. Sometimes, they can contribute to dry mouth. In other cases, when the pill is broken down, the body releases the chemicals that can inadvertently cause bad breath.
Unfortunately, products such as mouthwash, breath mints, and minty-flavored gum are only temporary solutions to a bigger problem. To effectively combat bad breath, be sure to practice good oral hygiene. Brush at least twice a day, and floss daily. Be sure to scrub the tongue and around the teeth where food particles can get caught. Additionally, if you are a smoker, consider quitting. Along with bad breath, there are a plethora of health factors that would benefit from the lack of tobacco. If you continue to experience bad breath, contact your doctor or dentist as you may experience a larger health issue.
Depending on the underlying issue, or the cause, the odor of your breath can vary greatly. In some cases, you may think that you’re suffering from an odorous aroma, when in reality, your breath smells fine and vice versa. To check if you’re suffering from halitosis, ask a close friend or relative to confirm any question of bad breath. Now that you know and understand what can cause such an ailment, get on the forefront to fight bad breath today! As always, you can contact our Raleigh dentists to schedule an appointment today.