Bad breath may be a symptom of any of the following conditions. See your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Halitosis, or bad breath, can have a significant impact on oral health and social interactions. Understanding the causes of halitosis and how to prevent and treat it is essential for maintaining good oral health and overall well-being.
.
Here are some of the causes of bad breath, so you can be more confident when you show your smile.
Several factors can cause or contribute to the formation of tonsil stones, such as the following: Substances such as food, dead cells, mucus, and bacteria may get stuck in the nooks and crannies of the tonsils. The body’s immune system, which sees these as foreign invaders, sends white blood cells to the area to fight infection. When the white blood cells are done, they leave small calcifications behind. Usually, these small stones are swallowed but sometimes they get stuck in the tonsillar crypts and continue to grow into tonsil stones. Small stones are common; large stones are rare. Chronic or recurring tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils) Large tonsils Chronic sinus problems Poor dental hygiene Certain medications that make your mouth dry
4. Cloves: Cloves have antimicrobial properties and can help freshen breath. You can chew on whole cloves or use clove oil as a mouthwash.
Serious cases of gingivitis may need to be treated with a periodontist, who are specialists in treating gum disease and restoring bone and tissue loss because of it.
Dr. Benjamin Greene and Dr. Jonathan Everett at Kirkland Family Dentistry have been providing dental services in Kirkland, Washington for a better part of 25 years and are staunch supporters of effectively eliminating the causes of halitosis rather than aiming to cure them.
If your breath still smells bad even after brushing your teeth it may be a sign of gum disease and/or cavities. The bacteria that cause bad breath can hide in cavities in your teeth. This makes it difficult to get rid of the bacteria when you're brushing your teeth because it's hidden in places that you can't reach. Similarly, these bacteria can hide in deep pockets caused by gum disease.
When you clean away plaque, you get rid of these bacteria. When you get rid of these bacteria, you stop the production of smelly gases that make up bad breath. The problem is that many people do not clean away plaque adequately and/or consistently.
Gargling and using essential oils are two great ways to freshen your breath, fight infections, and kill all of the bacteria that cause the foul smell.
It's important to note that while lemon water can help freshen breath, it should not be used as a substitute for regular oral hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing.
Flossing is another essential step in maintaining fresh breath. It helps remove plaque and food debris from between your teeth and along the gumline, where a toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing should be done at least once a day, preferably before bedtime.
4. Hydrate! – Many people suffer from dry mouth, which aggravates bad breath. Whether the dry mouth is the result of a prescription medication side effect or simple dehydration, one important solution is drinking lots of water. Drinking water provides the necessary resources to your salivary glands for the production of saliva. It also helps to flush away dental plaque and food debris.
At Capital Dental, we treat halitosis with a professional cleaning and oral cleanse to reach crevices not normally accessed through regular brushing and flossing. Occasionally, a deep cleaning, consisting of scaling and root planing, is needed to remove bacteria trapped below the gum line. We also can perform tongue scraping, if the tongue is the source of the smell.
Introduction
Called to schedule an appointment as I thought I had an abscess. Office was able to get me in the same day, which I was... thankful for as I had yet to find a new dentist. Check in was quick. Front office staff was very professional & friendly. Panoramic & bitewing x-rays were taken. Also inserted a tiny camera in my mouth & took pictures of all of my teeth. Dr. Birch confirmed that I had an abscessed tooth & explained to me my treatment options. I was given a print out of my treatment plan & costs. Gave me a prescription for antibiotics & scheduled me for my tooth extraction next week. Great experience overall!read more
Alcohol consumption can also contribute to bad breath by drying out the mouth. Additionally, alcoholic beverages can leave a distinct odor on the breath. Reducing or quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption can help improve breath odor.