Do you know what causes bad breath (halitosis)? Learn how drinking alcohol, gum disease, poor health, smoking, certain foods like garlic, and even dieting can lead to chronic bad breath. Find out how to get rid of bad breath as well, with information on brushing, mouth wash, and expert oral care.
However, there is also the possibility, albeit less common, that it originates outside the oral cavity. It is essentially due to disorders of the respiratory tract, the digestive system, or kidney or liver pathologies.
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Avoiding tobacco and alcohol can also help prevent tonsil stones and bad breath. Both tobacco and alcohol can dry out the mouth, creating an environment that is conducive to bacterial growth.
1. Removes plaque: Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the surfaces of your teeth. If not removed, it can harden into tartar, which can contribute to bad breath. Flossing helps remove plaque from areas that a toothbrush cannot reach.
Smoking is a bad habit any way you slice it, but one thing it’s fairly well known for is causing halitosis, or “smoker’s breath.” Smoke particles can linger in the throat and lungs for hours, giving your breath a stale scent. The chemicals in tobacco smoke also remain in the mouth, leading to a whole host of secondary causes of bad breath. As mentioned briefly above, tobacco can lead to chronic bad breath by drying out the tongue and gums, leaving a chemical-filmed environment where oral bacteria can run amok. Giving up smoking is good for your body in many ways. Forget better breath – you’ll have a better quality of life!
For stones that do not go away on their own, there are several types of treatments: Medications: Antibiotics to help reduce bacteria Antihistamines to reduce mucus from sinus problems or allergies Laser treatment (laser tonsil cryptolysis): a noninvasive treatment that helps minimize or remove the tonsil pockets (crypts) where the tonsil stones are lodged Coblation cryptolysis: radio waves are used to change a salt solution into charged ions that can cut through the tissue to reduce crypts on the tonsils and eliminate tonsil stones Tonsillectomy: removal of the tonsils, usually the last resort but the only way to eliminate tonsil stones and prevent new ones from forming
Regular dental visits will also help you detect and treat other issues that can lead to bad breath, such as dry mouth, gum and bone disease, or other oral infections, quickly. Klement Family Dental in St. Petersburg, FL, offers convenient appointment times and payment options to help patients fit dental care and treatment into their busy schedules. If you’re concerned about bad breath or another dental issue, contact us today to for an appointment time that works with your schedule. Advances in Dental ImplantsGum Problem Basics: Sore, Swollen and Bleeding Gums
Many smokers suffer from bad breath from time-to-time. Heavy smokers are usually more frequently affected, but occasional smokers also get bad breath. Studies suggest that smokers experience a deterioration in sensitivity, so you may not even realize you have bad breath or be able to smell it on yourself.
Doctors may recommend antibiotics. It helps lower the bacteria count, leading to tonsil stones development. However, the biofilms or hardened structures of the stones can resist antibiotics.
2. Antimicrobial agents: Toothpastes that contain antimicrobial agents like triclosan or essential oils can help kill bacteria that cause bad breath.
Both cavities and gum disease are bacterial infections of the oral tissues. Tooth decay is a bacterial infection of the hard tissues of a tooth, and gum disease is an infection of the hard and soft tissues surrounding a tooth (also called periodontal disease). Both of these conditions consist of the reproduction and proliferation of specific disease-causing bacteria, and they stink.
Poor dental hygieneLack of saliva in the mouthPoor lifestyle choices such as smoking and alcohol
If you’re using a cotton swab, gently put pressure on your tonsil around the stone, like you’re popping a pimple.
Eventually this sludge will turn hard enough to calcify – so if you want them gone then you’re going to have to be proactive!
Using baking soda as a mouthwash can also help freshen breath. Baking soda has natural deodorizing properties and can help neutralize odors in the mouth.