Tonsillectomy: It is the surgical removal of tonsils. This procedure can be done using a scalpel, laser, or Coblation device.
While eating any type of food can lead to bad breath, as the bits of food end up becoming a meal for the bacteria that call your mouth home, garlic tends to be the worst offender. In part, that’s because garlic contains sulfur compounds that get absorbed into the bloodstream and that take some time to break down.
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To use a tongue scraper effectively, start at the back of your tongue and gently scrape forward. Rinse the scraper after each pass to remove any debris. Repeat this process several times, covering the entire surface of your tongue. Be careful not to scrape too hard or you may cause irritation or discomfort. After using a tongue scraper, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water or mouthwash to remove any loosened debris.
They are made of a material called biofilm. Hence, they are not contagious. Biofilm is a combination of bacteria and fungi present in your mouth interacting with the mouth’s chemistry. The mixture thus formed attaches itself to a moist and wet surface.
Chronic diseases can also contribute to bad breath. Conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease can cause changes in the body's metabolism, leading to the production of certain chemicals that can cause halitosis. Additionally, dry mouth, which is a common symptom of many chronic diseases, can also contribute to bad breath.
However, improper oral hygiene is not the only cause of halitosis formation. This troublesome condition may also occur as a result of using dentures or braces. The hard-to-reach areas around these fillings are difficult to reach with a toothbrush or dental floss, which is why bacteria that cause bad breath thrive there. Other common causes of halitosis include: diabetes, kidney disease and thyroid disease, infections of the sinuses, throat or tonsils, dry mouth, improper eating habits (drinking large amounts of alcohol, smoking, starving oneself), taking certain medications (mainly antidepressants, painkillers and diuretics).
Even more concerning to us, as dentists, are the potential health implications of chronic bad breath. Persistent bad breath that does not respond to home care may be the result of a serious health problem. Your bad breath could be a warning sign that you have a dental infection or other medical condition.
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Medications that cause a dry mouth can trigger bad breath. In addition, certain medications, such as triamterene and paraldehyde, have bad breath as a side effect.
Tonsil stones may be a warning sign that you have high levels of bacteria in your mouth and need to improve your oral hygiene or adjust your diet.
Daily brushing and flossing, and regular professional cleanings, will normally take care of unpleasant breath. And don't forget your often overlooked tongue as a culprit for bad breath. Bacterial plaque and food debris also can accumulate on the back of the tongue. The tongue's surface is extremely rough and bacteria can accumulate easily in the cracks and crevices.
Bad breath is often evaluated by a dentist. In addition to patient history and physical examination of the mouth, tests may be needed to diagnose the cause of bad breath, such as: Organoleptic testing: assesses the strength of bad breath Sulfide monitors to measure mouth-air volatile sulfur compound (VSC) content, which are produced by anaerobic bacteria from food debris in the mouth that cause bad breath Gas chromatography to measure VSCs X-rays of the mouth Periodontal charting if gum disease is suspected Brush and floss twice daily Mouthwash Can help kill bacteria or neutralize and mask bad breath Mouthwash is only a temporary solution Clean dentures regularly and thoroughly Keep saliva flowing Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free hard candy Eat healthy foods that require a lot of chewing, such as carrots or apples Use artificial saliva if your dentist recommends it Don’t smoke See your dentist regularly https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/bad-breath https://www.uptodate.com/contents/bad-breath?search=bad%20breath&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1#H2120250223 https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/oral-health/6-surprising-causes-of-bad-breath#:~:text=A%20diet%20very%20high%20in,unpleasant%20odor%20from%20your%20mouth.&text=There%20are%20many%20types%20of,turn%20leads%20to%20bad%20breath
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[iii] Aylıkcı BU, Çolak H. Halitosis: From diagnosis to management. Journal of Natural Science, Biology, and Medicine. 2013;4(1):14-23. doi:10.4103/0976-9668.107255. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3633265/
Efficient, friendly, professional. With all that is going on with COVID- office was clean but the staff was very kind... and inviting.read more
Even if you cannot brush your teeth right after every meal, drinking water should help clear away leftover food particles. This will result in less bacteria buildup, in turn preventing bad breath from occurring. It is better to drink water after meals rather than sugary drinks, as sugar exacerbates the buildup of bacteria.
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.