Cigarette smoke has a very strong odor, so it should be little surprise that it’s a common cause of bad breath. Cigarettes and other tobacco products can also increase your risk of gum and bone disease, which can also contribute to bad breath.
After you eat, let your food digest before performing physical activity or lying down. This can allow the contents in your stomach to digest while your LES stays closed.
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Recognizing halitosis itself is not difficult, because this affliction gives us symptoms in the form of an unpleasant odor released from the mouth. So, in order to determine whether you suffer from halitosis, it is enough to perform the so-called “smell test”. This can be done, for example, by inhaling the smell of the toothbrush we use to brush our teeth, or by touching the back of our tongue with our fingers and then checking their smell.
"This is going to be the death of me", I thought as I filled the pot with bottled water. I didn’t have a sink in my apartment, and even if I did, I wasn’t sure I trusted the landlord or the city enough to drink either of their water. The small red light on the hot plate glared at me from the fold-out counter as I contemplated how I had never known anything other than life in the city. The honking horns, flashing neon lights, and endless crowds were my nightly companions. There was no escaping the noise of the city.
Without correct and regular brushing and flossing, and routine dental exams, food stays in the mouth. This is a breeding ground for bacteria. Food that collects on the teeth, gums, and tongue may rot. This causes an unpleasant odor and taste in the mouth.
During a physical examination, a healthcare professional may use a tongue depressor and a light to examine the back of the throat for the presence of tonsil stones. They may also gently palpate the neck to check for swollen lymph nodes.
When you have a cavity (or tooth decay), plaque (food particles and bacteria) accumulates in the cavity and causes bad breath.
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Besides food items, medical conditions like a build-up of calculus, gum diseases, dry mouth, poorly fitted dentures, acid reflux, and tonsil stones are often found to be some of the causes. Halitosis should not be left untreated because it can be one of the symptoms of severe problems like chronic sinus infections, bronchitis, diabetes, pneumonia, and even kidney-linked issues.
Whether your bad breath is temporary or a symptom of a bigger problem, the following tips will benefit your teeth, gums, and overall oral health.
Tobacco smoking is the most concentrated form of pollution that most people are exposed to. It impairs the ability to identify odors and diminishes the sense of taste. Quitting smoking improves the smell function.
Smoking is not only harmful to your overall health but also to your oral health. Smoking can cause bad breath, stained teeth, and gum disease. The chemicals in tobacco products can dry out the mouth and decrease saliva production, leading to an increase in bacteria growth and bad breath.
Scientists have found that the sense of smell is most accurate between the ages of 30 and 60 years. It begins to decline after age 60, and a large proportion of elderly persons lose their smelling ability. Women of all ages are generally more accurate than men in identifying odors.
Smell and taste belong to our chemical sensing system (chemosensation). The complicated process of smelling and tasting begins when molecules released by the substances around us stimulate special nerve cells in the nose, mouth, or throat. These cells transmit messages to the brain, where specific smells or tastes are identified. Olfactory (smell nerve) cells are stimulated by the odors around us, the fragrance from a rose, the smell of bread baking. These nerve cells are found in a tiny patch of tissue high up in the nose, and they connect directly to the brain. Gustatory (taste nerve) cells are clustered in the taste buds of the mouth and throat. They react to food or drink mixed with saliva. Many of the small bumps that can be seen on the tongue contain taste buds. These surface cells send taste information to nearby nerve fibers, which send messages to the brain.
Even more concerning to us, as dentists, are the potential health implications of chronic bad breath. Persistent bad breath that does not respond to home care may be the result of a serious health problem. Your bad breath could be a warning sign that you have a dental infection or other medical condition.
Natural remedies used in the treatment of bad breath include chewing on mint or parsley. If bad breath is due to a health problem such as a sinus infection, diabetes, acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD), etc., then the underlying medical issue needs to be treated. If bad breath is a side effect of taking a medication, discuss with a health care professional whether other options for medication can be taken. Never stop taking a medication without first consulting your health care professional.
A physician may recommend antibiotics, tonsillectomy, or other surgical ways to remove the debris. Drinking plenty of water, gargling with salt water, and controlling the urge to smoke are the necessary steps that the patient cannot avoid.