What You Need to Know About Bad Breath

About 25% of the population has bad breath problems. The condition is also known as halitosis. While many factors cause halitosis, poor oral hygiene is usually the primary cause. Regardless of the reason, halitosis can lead to embarrassment, anxiety, and worry.

Learn what you need to know about halitosis.

What Causes Halitosis?

Although poor hygiene is often the primary cause of halitosis, other factors can cause halitosis. Halitosis can occur due to the following causes.

Dry Mouth

Saliva cleans your mouth and keeps the mouth fresh. When your body secretes insufficient amounts of saliva, you may suffer from halitosis. Low saliva secretion is usually common among heavy smokers.

You may also have a dry mouth if you use specific medications. Some treatments for allergies also lead to dry mouth. You can also get a dry mouth if you have sinus congestion that results from specific allergies.

Head and Neck Cancers

If you get oropharyngeal cancer, one symptom you may expect is mouth sores.

Food

Food digestion typically starts in the mouth during chewing. Also, once the food has been processed by your system, it can have linger effects on your breath. When you consume meals with strong smells like onions and garlic, your mouth may have a strong odor.

You can try flossing and brushing, but the methods will only temporarily solve the problem. Usually, the odor goes away when the food passes entirely through the body.

Other foods can cause bad breath:

• Cheese 
• Alcohol 
• Orange soda or juice
• Specific spices 
• Pastrami

You can also have bad breath if you consume low amounts of food. Insufficient food consumption forces the body to break down fat to get energy. Fat breakdown generates chemicals that can cause a foul mouth smell.

Mouth Infections

Gum diseases and cavities may lead to bad breath. You can also have bad breath if you don't clean your braces and dentures. Dirty braces or dentures trap food particles that will rot and cause bacteria and odor.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy in itself doesn't cause bad breath. However, the morning sickness and nausea of pregnancy may result in bad breath. Pregnancy also causes hormonal changes and dehydration that can cause a foul smell. Moreover, pregnant women may crave specific foods that contribute to unpleasant odors during pregnancy.

What Are the Symptoms of Halitosis?

Bad breath is the main symptom of halitosis in adults and children. Bad breath can occur at any time but is usually more prominent in the morning. Halitosis can also manifest in the form of a white coating on the tongue. At the same time, your mouth will be constantly dry or only have a little saliva.

Halitosis can also occur in tandem with the follow symptoms:

• Post nasal drip
• The urge to continuously clear your throat
• A bitter and sour metallic taste in the mouth 

Once you start having bad breath, you may fear talking to people and have low self-esteem issues.

What Is the Treatment for Bad Breath?

Proper oral hygiene is the best way to treat halitosis. When you regularly brush and floss your teeth and gums, you prevent the chances of gum disease and cavities. Another possible solution is to get regular checkups from your dentist. You can also get professional teeth cleaning about twice a year.

If you have bad breath, your dentist may recommend specific toothpaste with antibacterial agents. Antibacterial mouthwash can also help to boost your dental health and prevent bad breath.

You can get help from a qualified dentist if you have bad breath. Doctors Davis & Beyer Dental Health Professionals provides comprehensive dental services to help people with dental problems. Contact us to book an appointment.