These foods and drinks can also affect the pH balance in the mouth, creating an environment that is favorable for bacteria growth. Additionally, they can cause dehydration, which reduces saliva production and increases the risk of bad breath.
Making an appointment with a dentist like Dr. Edwards twice a year will give him the chance to learn what’s normal and what’s not when it comes to your oral health. He’ll also be able to detect any potential issues early, so that they can be treated before becoming more serious.
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The definition of bad breath, or halitosis, is an unpleasant smell coming from the mouth. Halitosis can occur on occasion, or it can be a chronic condition. It may be caused by foods a person eats, poor oral hygiene, diseases, or other factors.
So, if you have terrible, incurably bad-smelling breath that you can’t get rid of through brushing, you just might have a tonsil stone.
Mouthwash and Halitosis: How to Choose the Right Product
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.
The Importance of Regular Dental Checkups for Fresher Breath
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Based on the underlying cause, halitosis is divided into three classes: Physiologic halitosis, pathologic halitosis, and psychogenic halitosis. Food substances usually cause physiologic halitosis with a strong smell, such as onion, garlic, etc. In other cases, the accumulation of food particles within the oral cavity for a long time can also cause bad breath. Any abnormality that reduces the salivary flow rate or causes dry mouth contributes to physiologic halitosis.
Foods that are sticky or have a high sugar content, such as candy or dried fruit, can contribute to the formation of tonsil stones. These foods can stick to the tonsils and provide a breeding ground for bacteria.
Eventually this sludge will turn hard enough to calcify – so if you want them gone then you’re going to have to be proactive!
Halitosis: An unpleasant odor from the mouth, commonly referred to as bad breath. Halitosis can be caused by the consumption of certain foods, poor oral hygiene, alcohol or tobacco use, dry mouth, or by certain chronic medical conditions. Drug Categories Drugs & Medications Pill Identification Tool Vitamins, Herbs, & Dietary Supplements Dictionary RxList About Us Consumer Contact RxList Terms of Use Privacy Policy Sponsor Policy
Bad breath, medically called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. You can take steps to prevent and treat halitosis, at home and with the help of your dentist or doctor.
At times, tooth extraction, dental implant, incorrectly fitted dental fixtures, wrongly performed root-canal surgery, and incomplete tooth extraction can also result in a foul smell. So, it is advisable to visit your dentist first for a check-up. Medical professionals should be approached only when advised to do so by a dental care expert.
If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy and the odor is not of oral origin, you may be referred to your family doctor or to a specialist to determine the odor source and treatment plan. You can go over a list of your medications with them to see if any of them could be adding to the problem. Work with them to keep diabetes, allergies, and other conditions under control.
Your dentist or periodontist may tell you to use an antimicrobial mouth rinse. You may also be told to brush your tongue gently each time you brush your teeth. This will help remove odor-causing bacteria.
Breath sprays come in flavors like cinnamon and spearmint, and a quick burst can freshen your breath when you aren’t able to chew gum or drink a glass of water. Like with gum and mints, you should choose a sugar-free breath spray to avoid increasing your risk of tooth decay.