What is Halitosis?
Chronic bad breath that does not go away with oral hygiene is called halitosis. Halitosis goes beyond morning breath or bad breath caused by foods; it can actually be a symptom of something more serious. It is important to speak with your dentist about any new halitosis that you experience so they can evaluate your mouth and identify any potential issues and treat them accordingly.
If your dentist is unable to find anything wrong, you may need to see your general doctor for further evaluation. Systemic problems that have a side effect of halitosis include diabetes, liver disease, or gastric reflux disease (GERD).
Halitosis Causes
There are many factors other than medical conditions that can cause one to have halitosis. Of course, the biggest culprit is poor oral hygiene. Maintaining a good home care routine not only keeps your mouth healthy, but it also impacts your overall health. The pockets between the gum tissue and the surface of each tooth are healthiest when they have a depth measurement between 0 and 3 millimeters. When plaque and bacteria accumulate along the gum line, it causes the pockets to become infected, and periodontal disease can develop and promote halitosis.
Dry mouth is a condition that can also cause halitosis because saliva helps regularly remove food particles and bacteria that can become trapped and cause dental decay and bad breath. Some prescription medications can also cause dry mouth, as can alcohol and caffeine consumption.
Additionally, using cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products has a profound negative effect on the health of your mouth and body. Patients who use tobacco products are more susceptible to gum disease and halitosis due to dry mouth.
Ear, nose, and throat infections can also cause halitosis. In this case, halitosis will generally resolve itself once the infection is cleared up. Sinus infections and colds can cause an overproduction of mucus, which promotes bacterial production, making illnesses last longer. Post-nasal drip frequently leads to bad breath as well as a bad taste in the mouth.
Halitosis Treatment
The best way to prevent halitosis is with good oral hygiene. An ideal routine includes brushing at least twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and flossing at least once. Incorporating a tongue scraper can make an incredible impact against halitosis, especially if you use tobacco.
If you have periodontal disease, a deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, is a great treatment option that is used to clear out any tartar buildup in your gum pockets that could be causing bad breath. This treatment is typically followed by a more frequent cleaning schedule instead of the typical twice per year.
If your dentist does not find any issues with your oral health, they may advise you to see your general practitioner for further evaluation to make sure there are no underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to halitosis. Halitosis can be a sign of something wrong, so it is important to take the necessary steps to determine the cause and receive the advised treatment.
If you are suffering from bad breath, consider an examination.