Halitosis or Bad Breath: it is embarrassing and can make you self-conscious. If you suffer from having bad breath, you may think there is nothing you can do about it. While in public, you may try to cover it up with mints, your hand, or be cautious as to how you interact with people. Here at Shorewood Family Dental Care, we want you to know that Bad Breath is not hopeless. We are here to help address this issue so you can live with less worry.
What Causes Bad Breath
Sometimes it is obvious what causes your bad breath, like after eating a lot of garlic. In these cases, it will be temporary and can be addressed with a mint or mouthwash. There are causes of bad breath that are less temporary. The good news is that if you work with your dentist, they can often be identified and treated. Possible causes include:
Gum Disease
Diseases like Gingivitis are caused by bacteria. As they spread and penetrate your gumline, they emit gasses from digesting the food and sugar particles you eat. It is because of these gasses you may experience bad breath, one of the common gum disease symptoms. Gum disease can lead to a lot of serious health problems and can be identified early by halitosis. When your dentist treats the disease, you will likely experience improvements in your breath.
Tartar Buildup
Tartar is the hard rough plaque buildup you feel on your teeth. It often starts at the gums and works it way across all of your teeth. This can be exasperated by poor hygiene habits. Plaque is also created by bacteria in your mouth. And like with gum disease, these bacteria also omit odors that lead to bad breath. Having your routine cleanings with your dentist and practicing good oral hygiene habits will help address any halitosis you may experience as a result of tartar.
Tooth Decay
Have you ever smelled rotten food in your refrigerator? You know then, that this can be a pungent odor. If you leave plaque and tartar buildup untreated, you are likely to find that your teeth will start to decay. This is because the bacteria that make the plaque will start breaking down the minerals that make up your teeth. As the protective minerals disappear, the inner part of your teeth can start to rot. And like with food, any tooth that is rotting will develop a bad odor. When you see dentist in Shorewood IL, we will remove any of the rotten part of your tooth, then apply a protective filling. This will not only help keep the remaining tooth healthy, but it will also help address the bad breath.
Damaged Restorations
Restoring your teeth with fillings, crowns, or dentures are, unfortunately, not permanent. It would be great if we could replace a tooth with a crown and you knew you would never have to worry about it again. In reality, like your teeth, these restorations will breakdown over time. A warning sign for you to have a restoration replaced is bad breath. We can work with you to address any of these failing repairs.
Poor Hygiene
Hygiene is the most important aspect of oral health. If you do not have good habits, you are likely going to face problems with bad breath. Hygiene can help reduce bacteria in the mouth, prevent decay of your teeth, and remove food particles that can cause bad breath. As part of your hygiene habits, you should ensure you have regular cleanings and checkups with your dentist.
Other Contributors
There are some less obvious causes of halitosis that could be of major or minor concern.
- Acid reflux or indigestion can lead to bad breath. While we can help some, you will likely need to see a specialist for proper care.
- Abscesses and infections (like oral thrush) in your mouth can release an odor of left untreated. It is crucial to seek immediate care for an infection as they can lead to serious and even life-threatening problems.
- Cancer can also be a cause of bad breath. During your exam, if other causes are ruled out, an oral cancer screening may be recommended. While this can be scary, oral cancer is often treatable, especially when caught early.
What Can Can Do To Minimize Bad Breath
There are some ways you can reduce the chance of bad breath, both in the short term and long term.
- Practice good oral hygiene.
- Avoid sugary foods and beverages.
- Limit your alcohol consumption.
- Quit smoking and vaping.
- Drink more water.
- Avoid drug use.
- Use sugar-free gum and mints.
- See your dentist near Joliet, IL.
Visiting your dentist regularly is a crucial component to combatting bad breath. Whether it is with your semi-annual cleanings or addressing an oral health concern, here at Shorewood Family Dental Care your oral health is our priority. If you are concerned about bad breath, schedule an appointment with us so we can help identify the root cause. Our experienced staff will help you feel comfortable and get you back to interacting with others without concern for your breath. Call us for a visit today.
