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.
Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections of the mouth, and cavities.
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When to Seek Professional Help for Persistent Bad Breath from the Throat
What is halitosis and what causes it?
Can cavities cause bad breath or halitosis? Tooth decay occurs when bacteria break down the tooth enamel and dentin, resulting in cavities. The bacteria responsible for cavities can cause bad breath and are, therefore, can be one of the causes of halitosis.
Tonsillectomy is the removal of two oval-shaped tissue pads, named tonsils, from the back of the throat. Tonsillectomy is a popular treatment for airway obstruction and recurrent tonsillar infection in children. Tonsillectomy causes mild or moderate pain in most people.
Choosing the right toothpaste is important in fighting halitosis. Here are some ingredients to look for in a toothpaste:
It was also marketed to dentists as a way to kill germs in the mouth, but no one paid much attention until the 1920s. That's when, as Inglis-Arkell writes, the owner of the company, Jordan Wheat Lambert, and his son, Gerard, came up with a marketing plan that would forever change the dental aisle. The key was an old Latin phrase that had long dropped out of general usage and which, according to writers over at Cracked, meant “unpleasant breath.” A 1928 ad for Listerine reads in part: “No matter how charming you may be or how fond of you your friends are, you can not expect them to put up with halitosis (unpleasant breath) forever. They may be nice to you—but it is an effort.” Bettmann/CORBIS
Tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, are hard, sometimes painful bits of bacteria and debris that get stuck in nooks on your tonsils.
Bad dental habits can wreck your teeth. Teeth grinding, chewing on ice, playing sports without a mouth guard, and eating and drinking sugary foods and drinks are just a few bad habits that are bad for teeth. Giving nighttime baby bottles, opening things with your teeth, and chewing on pencils can also damage teeth and tissues in the mouth. Drinking red wine and white wine can erode enamel and stain teeth. Smoking, tobacco use, drinking coffee can all lead to tooth stains. Binge eating disorder leads to the consumption of large amounts of sugary food, which can lead to tooth decay. Purging exposes teeth to acids that can wear down enamel.
Building up too many ketones in the blood can be dangerous, but for most people on a low-carb diet, this isn’t a concern.
Bad breath may be a symptom of any of the following conditions. See your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Having tonsil stones once might mean you will have to deal with it again in the future. But specific preventive measures can be taken. These steps are:
Using a tongue scraper can be an effective way to remove bacteria from the surface of the tongue. This can help reduce bad breath and prevent the formation of tonsil stones.
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During a physical examination, a healthcare professional may use a tongue depressor and a light to examine the back of the throat for the presence of tonsil stones. They may also gently palpate the neck to check for swollen lymph nodes.
Other things to avoid are alcohol, sugary foods, caffeine, and carbonated beverages. These foods and drinks can dry out your throat and feed the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath and tonsil stones in the first place.