Embarrassed by Bad Breath?

Are you missing out on kisses? Did you know that your dentist can help? There are many products on the market to address bad breath, or halitosis, but they just mask the problem. Your dentist can offer real solutions.

Possible Causes for Bad Breath

There are many possible causes of bad breath. These can include:

• Poor Dental Care- Teeth and dentures that are not cleaned thoroughly on a regular basis can harbor bacteria. The same applies for the tongue, particularly far back on the surface of the tongue where it can be hard to scrape or brush.
• Food- It is common knowledge that onions and garlic can cause bad breath; but did you know that spices can also cause bad breath? Food particles caught on teeth can increase bacteria, resulting in foul breath. Even after you brush and floss, digested foods will enter your system and enter the lungs, which can produce bad breath.
• Tobacco products- Tobacco use alone is a source for bad breath. In addition, it is common for users to suffer from gum disease, another source of bad breath.
• Dry Mouth- Saliva helps to keep your mouth clean. Dry mouth occurs naturally during sleep, which leads to “morning breath.” Chronic dry mouth can be the result of medications, a problem with the salivary glands or some diseases.
• Medications- In addition to dry mouth, some medications, when absorbed by the body, release chemicals that can be carried on your breath.
• Infections- Infections in the mouth can cause bad breath.
• Other Mouth, Nose and Throat Conditions- Occasionally, bad breath can come from small stones that form on the tonsils. Chronic inflammation or infections in the nose, sinuses or throat can also cause bad breath.
• Other Causes- Some diseases or metabolic disorders can cause a distinctive breath odor. GERD, a chronic reflux of stomach acids, can produce bad breath.

Find the Right Solution

Many of the causes of bad breath are manageable with the right care. Consistent dental hygiene can fix most problems with bad breath; but not always. If you brush your teeth and tongue after eating, use dental floss, drink plenty of water and are still told you have bad breath, it may be time to ask your dentist for help. Bad breath can cause anxiety and be a symptom of more serious health concerns. Call today for an appointment with Engineered Smiles to determine the cause of your halitosis and live more carefree.