Halitosis vs. normal bad breath: What's the difference?
If you don't brush and floss your teeth everyday, food particles remain on your teeth and cause bad breath. In addition, if you wear dentures, food can become lodged underneath your dentures, creating an unpleasant smell. Odor-causing bacteria can also collect on the tongue, which many people fail to clean as part their oral health routine.
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Smoking and Tobacco Use: The Link to Chronic Bad Breath
Drinking more water during the day can help, both by rinsing away food and preventing dryness in the mouth.
Coffee and alcohol can also contribute to bad breath. Both of these beverages can dry out the mouth, leading to a decrease in saliva production. Saliva plays a crucial role in washing away bacteria and food particles, so a decrease in saliva can lead to an increase in bacteria growth and bad breath.
At Premier Family Dental in Gilbert, we know there are a lot of people who suffer from tonsil stones. What are these malicious white rocks in the back of your throat? Well, have you ever brushed your teeth to what you would consider perfection and even used mouthwash, but somehow your breath is still funky? Well, these stones in the back of your throat are the culprit. They contain large amounts of bacteria and are the leading cause of bad breath.
The smell of tonsil stones can be quite unpleasant and can lead to bad breath. The odor is caused by the buildup of bacteria, food particles, and other debris that gets trapped in the tonsil crevices. The bacteria break down the particles, releasing a foul smell.
In some cases, larger tonsil stones may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing. This can be particularly concerning in children or individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
Sinus infections and allergies can cause post-nasal drip, which is when excess mucus drips down the back of the throat. This can lead to a foul odor and bad breath. Treating the underlying sinus infection or allergies can help alleviate bad breath.
Halitosis, better known as severe bad breath, can cause an embarrassing social problem, but it can also be a sign of an underlying medical problem.
Cough: You might discover that you have a tonsil stone when you cough. Coughing with some energy may help in loosening the stone.
The stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori bacteria, combined with other factors, result in the same. A physician can prescribe antibiotics to deal with the bacteria after checking the symptoms.
Visit your dentist on a regular basis. Regular checkups can find problems, such as gum disease, infections, and dry mouth. If you have bad breath and the dentist can’t find a cause, you may be referred to your primary healthcare provider for more follow-up.
To use apple cider vinegar for fresh breath, dilute one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. Gargle with this mixture for 30 seconds to one minute, then spit it out. Rinse your mouth with plain water afterward to remove any residual vinegar taste. Repeat this process once or twice a day for best results.
People with ill-maintained oral hygiene are at a prime risk of halitosis. Older people or patients with neurological diseases with poor coordination of hand and wrist movements can develop halitosis since they cannot maintain their oral hygiene. Dehydration, diabetes, and other diseases that reduce the body’s water content can also be risk factors. Patients with gastric diseases such as H.pylori infection or gastro-esophageal reflux might also develop halitosis if their primary disease is not treated.
There is a strong link between halitosis and gum disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque and bacteria along the gumline, leading to inflammation and infection. This can result in bad breath.
In extreme cases, your doctor may recommend a tonsillectomy or laser cryptolysis, which reduces the number of crevices and folds in your tonsils.