3. Promote healthy habits: Encourage your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep their mouth hydrated. Limit their consumption of sugary foods and drinks, as these can contribute to bad breath.
Amazing office! The staff is friendly and make everyone feel welcomed the moment you walk in. Dr. Birch has taken... excellent care of me and my family's dental needs. My 9 yr old daughter needed extractions for her orthodontic treatment and she didn't feel a thing! Not even the few shots it took to get her numb. It was a breeze. I am very impressed by the quality work and attention to detail. Highly recommened them to anyone.read more
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One of the strangest phenomena associated with bad breath is our inability to smell it when it is coming from our own mouths. Most people are completely unaware that their breath smells less than fresh. We can’t trust the fact that we don’t smell anything from our own mouths. We have to ask others to get a true assessment.
We hope to never have to get to this point since prevention is much better than cure, but sometimes tonsil stones can form on their own and need to be removed before they start to stink.
The bad breath caused by certain foods is easily remedied by altering the diet. You can maintain a perfectly healthy diet while avoiding particularly smelly foods. Some studies even show that diets high in dairy products can cause bad odors in the mouth. If you are unsure which food is responsible for your bad breath, these are the top ones to avoid:
There are potential causes outside of the mouth that can be causing your bad breath. This may include heartburn, gastrointestinal illnesses, uncontrolled diabetes, kidney disease, asthma, cystic fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, tonsillitis, sinus infection, and other serious illnesses. In addition, certain medications can contribute to dry mouth or release chemicals that cause bad breath.
Maintaining good oral hygiene and making healthy lifestyle choices can significantly improve overall oral health and prevent bad breath. In addition to brushing and flossing regularly, it is important to visit the dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings.
Tonsil stones are formed when debris, such as food particles, dead cells, and mucus, become trapped in the crevices of the tonsils. Over time, these trapped materials harden and calcify, forming small stones. The exact cause of tonsil stones is not fully understood, but factors such as poor oral hygiene, chronic sinus issues, and large tonsils with deep crevices may contribute to their formation.
Surgery for tonsil stones is often controversial. Dental care services suggest the surgery only when the case is severe, chronic, and other methods have failed.
Certain foods and drinks can also contribute to bad breath. Foods like garlic and onions contain volatile compounds that are absorbed into the bloodstream and then exhaled through the lungs. Coffee and alcohol can also dry out the mouth, leading to a decrease in saliva production and an increase in bacteria growth.
Manual removal: Using a toothbrush to remove the tonsil stone is not recommended. Tonsils are delicate, so it is essential to be soft on that part. Removing it manually can be risky and cause complications, which may include infection or bleeding. If you still want to try, then use a water pick or cotton swab. However, small surgery may be required if the stone is too large.
Bad breath – we’ve all been there. The American Dental Association reports that at least half of all adults have suffered from bad breath at one time or another, but there’s a big difference between having less than fresh breath occasionally, and the misfortune of having chronically bad breath. When it feels like you’re constantly fighting against halitosis, your self-esteem can really take a hit. Here at Scott Edwards Cosmetic And Family Dentistry, we want you to feel confident in your smile! We know that a stick of gum or breath mint isn’t going to resolve bad breath that you can’t seem to get rid of. Keep reading to learn more about what halitosis is, what you can do about it, and how we can help you deal with it!
Gum, mints, and other quick fixes are just temporary solutions to occasional bad breath. If you’re dealing with true halitosis due to decay, illness, or any other reason, you shouldn’t stop at simply masking the problem. Dr. Edwards is an experienced dentist with over thirty years of experience treating families in Memphis and the surrounding areas. If you suffer from halitosis, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with him at our East Memphis or Midtown office to find out the underlying cause of the problem. Once we know what the issue is, we can offer a variety of treatment options to get rid of your chronic bad breath for good!
As we said before, bad breath can be a sign that things are really wrong in your body. It can mean, for example, that your kidneys are failing. Your kidneys are supposed to filter waste out of your blood, but if they aren’t working properly, it can build up. This can make your breath smell like ammonia, fish, or even urine.
Your liver is also supposed to filter out toxins. And like the kidneys, when it’s not doing its job, the result can be a toxic buildup that you can smell. The type of breath related to liver disease is called fetor hepaticus, and it’s usually described as a musty smell. If you have this type of bad breath, you need to talk to a doctor.
Foods and Beverages that Contribute to Throat-Related Bad Breath
Mucus is a normal substance produced by lining tissues in the body. Excess mucus or mucus that is yellow, green, brown, or bloody may indicate a problem. Mucus production may increase when allergies, a cold, flu, cough, or sore throat are present. Antihistamines and cold and flu medications may help alleviate excess mucus. A neti pot may be used to decrease nasal congestion and clear mucus.