When to See a Doctor for Halitosis: Serious Underlying Causes and Treatment Options
There are several natural remedies that can help treat bad breath from the throat. Drinking green tea is one such remedy. Green tea contains polyphenols, which have antibacterial properties that can help kill bacteria in the throat. Gargling with salt water is another effective remedy as it helps reduce bacteria in the throat.
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Most of the time, bad breath can be cured and prevented with proper oral hygiene. It is rarely life-threatening, and the prognosis is good. However, bad breath may be a complication of a medical disorder that needs to be treated. Rosenberg, Mel. "Bad Breath." UpToDate.com. September 2019.
Managing the psychological effects of halitosis involves addressing both the physical symptoms and the emotional impact. Seeking support from friends, family, or a mental health professional can be helpful in managing feelings of self-consciousness and building self-confidence. Additionally, practicing good oral hygiene and seeking treatment for underlying causes of bad breath can help alleviate the physical symptoms and improve overall well-being.
2. Improves taste: A coated tongue can affect your sense of taste. By removing the coating with a tongue scraper, you can improve your ability to taste food and enjoy flavors more fully.
Halitosis, also known as bad breath, can be caused by various factors, some of which originate in the mouth, while others may stem from elsewhere in the body. Here are some of the most common reasons and causes of bad breath or halitosis:
Bad breath is caused by a variety of factors. In most cases, it is caused by food remaining in the mouth - on the teeth, tongue, gums, and other structures, collecting bacteria. Dead and dying bacterial cells release a sulfur compound that gives your breath an unpleasant odor. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, contribute to breath odor. Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs, where it is exhaled. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash only mask the odor. Dieters sometimes develop unpleasant breath from fasting.
If you experience regular bad breath, but aren’t sure of the cause, we can help you narrow it down. In most cases, we can treat the cause. You’ll enjoy not just fresher breath, but improved general and overall health.
If your dentist has ruled out any oral problems that might cause a chronic bad breath, it is best to see you doctor for an evaluation too. This may indicate infection somewhere else in your body and can be a sign of a range of conditions like diabetes, strep throat, tonsilitis, respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, HIV, digestive system ailments such as ref-lux or liver and kidney problems.
Keep the mouth moist by drinking water and chewing sugarless gum or sugar-free hard candy to stimulate the production of saliva. Mouthwash may temporarily mask bad breath odors, but it may not treat the underlying cause.
Certain medications can have a negative impact on oral health and breath. As mentioned earlier, some medications can cause dry mouth, which can lead to bad breath. Additionally, certain medications can cause changes in taste or odor in the mouth, resulting in unpleasant breath.
Good oral hygiene stays the best way to improve bad breath. It it important to brush your teeth, tongue, gums and roof of your mouth twice a day with daily flossing and an anti-bacterial mouth rinse. If you would like to more about oral hygiene and how to prevent bad breath, please contact JVR Dental in Walnut Grove at 604-371-3138.
Breath mints and gum can also help alleviate bad breath from the throat. These products stimulate saliva production, which helps wash away bacteria and food particles. However, it is important to choose sugar-free options to avoid promoting tooth decay.
Good dental habits can help prevent tonsil stones. Brush and floss your teeth regularly to remove bacteria and keep things from getting stuck in your tonsils. Gargling after eating can also prevent food buildup.
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help balance the bacteria in our mouths and prevent bad breath. The oral microbiome is a complex ecosystem of bacteria, and an imbalance in this ecosystem can lead to bad breath.
Doctors have three methods for testing for bad breath. They can assess it themselves by sniffing one of the following: the patient’s breath just 5cm (2in) from the nose of the doctor, the contents of a spoon which has been scraped across the top of the tongue, unwaxed floss which has been passed between the back teeth or a petri dish containing the patient’s saliva that’s been left in an incubator at 37C (99F) for five minutes.