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!
Imaging tests, such as X-rays or CT scans, may be used to get a more detailed view of the tonsils and confirm the presence of tonsil stones.
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Spicy foods can also cause bad breath as they can increase the production of stomach acid, leading to acid reflux. Acid reflux can cause a sour taste in the mouth and contribute to bad breath. It's best to avoid these foods if you're concerned about maintaining fresh breath.
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help improve oral health and combat halitosis. These bacteria can help restore the natural balance of bacteria in the mouth, reducing the growth of odor-causing bacteria.
To floss effectively, use a piece of floss about 18 inches long. Wrap the ends of the floss around your middle fingers and hold it tightly between your thumbs and index fingers. Gently slide the floss between your teeth, using a back-and-forth motion. Curve the floss around each tooth in a C shape and slide it up and down to remove plaque and debris. Be sure to floss both sides of each tooth and along the gumline. Use a clean section of floss for each tooth.
A large number of ketones in the body can cause bad breath that may smell sweet, or similar to acetone (a type of ketone) which is commonly found in nail polish remover. Diabetics are at risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is when ketones rise to unsafe levels.
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Parsley is not only a popular garnish but also a natural breath freshener. It contains chlorophyll, which can help neutralize odors and freshen breath.
Certain foods and drinks can leave a lasting odor in your mouth, contributing to bad breath. Garlic and onions are notorious for causing bad breath due to their sulfur compounds. These compounds are absorbed into the bloodstream and then exhaled through the lungs, resulting in an unpleasant odor.
Halitosis, or bad breath, can have a significant impact on oral health and social interactions. It is caused by a variety of factors, including poor oral hygiene, gum disease, and certain medical conditions. Maintaining good oral hygiene, using mouthwash, and incorporating natural remedies can help prevent and treat bad breath.
Most of the bad smell comes from volatile sulphur compounds, gases with distinctive odours. Hydrogen sulphide, with its classic rotten eggs smell is one of the main offenders, but even worse is a substance called ethyl mercaptan which tends to be described as smelling of decomposing cabbage. It’s the compound which makes some people’s urine particularly pungent after they’ve eaten asparagus.
Bacteria is usually to cause of bad breath, but there are a number of health conditions that can be a culprit as well. Bad breath may be the first warning sign to more serious problems. Postnasal drip, respiratory and tonsil infections, sinus problems, diabetes, liver and kidney issues, and certain blood disorders can be causes of bad breath. It’s rare, but bad breath can be a sign of cancer or other serious conditions like metabolic disorders.
There are several over-the-counter products available that can help combat bad breath. Mouthwashes containing antibacterial agents like chlorhexidine or cetylpyridinium chloride can help kill bacteria and freshen breath. Breath mints or lozenges containing menthol or eucalyptus oil can also provide temporary relief from bad breath.
Physiological halitosis is caused by bacteria that accumulate on the upper back of the tongue, even when the person has good oral hygiene. Ingesting certain types of food, smoking, or drinking alcohol can worsen the condition and produce unpleasant odors in the mouth.
Tonsil stones are hard, white, or yellow-colored formations located on or within tonsils.
Pneumonia – an infection in one of both lungs; it accounts for 16% of all deaths under the age of five. About 920,136 children died in 2015 due to pneumonia[v]. The potentially lethal condition is caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi. Bearing in mind that pneumonia involves air sacs in the lungs that become inflamed they become filled up with pus and phlegm which are odiferous when a patient coughs. Constant coughing takes its toll on the breath. Bad breath can be the reason why you are asking for professional help and getting your pneumonia diagnosed at the same time, increasing your chances of survival by the minute.
It is not a dangerous condition, and one can get rid of it by using some home remedies. However, it may require antibiotics and surgery in some cases.