The link between diet and bad breath, and how to make dietary changes
Dry mouth can be caused by dehydration, medication, or aging. Once you’ve identified dry mouth, we can look for the cause and try to find a solution.
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If your bad breath smells like ammonia, it could be a sign that you may have kidney disease. The kidneys filter out and remove waste and toxins – such as urea, which breaks down into ammonia – from the body through urination. Kidneys also regulate blood pressure and control red blood cell production.
Kidney disease can be caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, medications, or injury. If you notice your breath smells like ammonia, visit your doctor as soon as possible to have any underlying causes treated. Additionally, regular checkups with your dentist are important to build a good oral hygiene routine.
Saliva usually washes away excess food particles and bacteria that build up on teeth. If you don’t have enough saliva to do this you will definitely suffer from an unpleasant smell. Common causes of decrease saliva are:
Quitting smoking and tobacco use is not only beneficial for your overall health but also for your oral health. It can help improve breath, reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth loss, and improve the appearance of your teeth.
For patients who suffer from dry mouth (xerostomia), artificial saliva may be prescribed by a dentist. Health News Could Cellphones Be Harming Men's Sperm? U.S. Infant Mortality Rate Climbs for First Time in 20 Years Playing Pro Football May Shorten Players' Lives, Study Finds Simple Antibiotic Switch for Pneumonia Patients Could Prevent Hospital Infection New A-Fib Ablation Therapy Benefits Women as Much as Men More Health News »
Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that involves swishing oil, such as coconut oil or sesame oil, in your mouth for several minutes. This practice helps remove bacteria and toxins from your mouth, promoting fresher breath. It's best to do oil pulling first thing in the morning before brushing your teeth.
- Green tea: Green tea contains polyphenols, which have antimicrobial properties that can kill bacteria in the mouth.
Your tonsils are gland-like structures in the back of your throat. You have one on each side. Tonsils are made of tissue with lymphocytes, cells that prevent and fight infections. Many experts think your tonsils play a role in your immune system and are meant to work like nets, trapping bacteria and viruses that come in through your throat.
Smoking or chewing tobacco is terrible for your health, but it’s also terrible for your breath. They dehydrate your mouth and cause residue that causes smells long after use.
As dentists, we are your best resource for addressing the problem of bad breath. We are in the perfect position to recognize, discuss, and treat this particular problem. Bad breath is complex in that it has both emotional and physical repercussions. We hear the distressing emotional consequences of bad breath in our confidential conversations with patients, and we see the negative health implications inherent in severe bad breath.
This is easy to identify–you can learn which foods cause bad breath and avoid eating them when you are concerned about your breath.
Lifestyle changes that can improve overall oral health and prevent bad breath
As a result of all these neglects, volatile sulfur compounds, food debris and plaque begin to accumulate in the oral cavity. All these harmful deposits are the direct cause of bad breath. Not to mention that they often lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease.
You may be wondering what halitosis is. Halitosis refers to the presence of foul-smelling odors originating from the mouth, which can occur occasionally or persistently. The cause of this unpleasant and smelly breath is often attributed to the presence of bacteria on the tongue or in the crevices around the gums. When these bacteria break down, they release volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs), which produce the unpleasant smell in the mouth. The primary VSC responsible for halitosis is hydrogen sulphide, which is typically found at the back of the tongue.
If you’re using a cotton swab, gently put pressure on your tonsil around the stone, like you’re popping a pimple.