Kingston TN
Having bad breath can be downright embarrassing. Maybe it’s a temporary situation from eating something heavy with onions, garlic or spices. But persistent bad breath, also called halitosis, is usually caused by sulphur-producing bacteria that coat the mouth, tongue and throat. Many products, including gum, mouthwash and mints, promise to combat bad breath. But those are basically just masking the smell. So what gives? What’s at the root cause of bad breath? Today, our family dentist in Kingston is unpacking all you need to know about halitosis, including what can cause it and what can treat it.
What causes bad breath?
Let’s dive into a few of the most common causes of bad breath:
Poor oral hygiene
The most common cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene. We all have beneficial bacteria in our mouth at all times. But bad bacteria can turn harmful if we don’t take care of our oral health. When someone doesn’t brush and floss, food particles can remain between the teeth and around or under the gumline. This food attracts bacteria that quickly multiply. As the food particles rot in our mouths, they release foul-smelling gases that come out in a person’s breath. If the bacteria continue growing, they turn into plaque and then tartar, eventually leading to gum disease (gingivitis) and its more severe stage, periodontitis, which is another common cause of bad breath.
Solution — Brushing and flossing teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste rids the mouth of bacteria-attracting food on and between the teeth. The tongue, which also harbors harmful bacteria, can be cleaned with a tongue scraper, which is available in most any store that carries dental products like toothbrushes and toothpaste. Mouthwash can also be added to boost your daily oral hygiene routine. Be sure to clean dentures, braces or oral appliances if you have them.
Tobacco products
Smoking and using other tobacco products causes smelly breath and can also lead to dry mouth — which is oftentimes responsible for tooth decay — and gum disease.
Solution — Stop using tobacco. It’s a health hazard and can lead to many types of cancer, including oral cancer.
Dry mouth
Saliva is nature’s disinfectant for the mouth, washing away food particles and plaque and neutralizing harmful acids. Dry mouth can have various causes, including smoking and sleeping with an open mouth (thus “morning breath”).
Solution — Stay hydrated with water and other drinks that don’t contain sugar or alcohol. Chewing sugar-free gum, especially if it’s sweetened with xylitol, aids in saliva production, which helps clean your teeth and sweeps away food particles in your mouth.
Prescription medications
Some medicines cause dry mouth, and others can release chemicals that your breath carries.
Solution — Stay hydrated to fight dry mouth, and talk to your primary care physician about halitosis caused by your prescription medication(s).
Mouth infections
Any open wound in your mouth, including from oral surgeries, tooth extractions and mouth sores, can cause bad breath.
Solution — Usually time and healing will correct bad breath from mouth trauma. But if your pain and halitosis linger for more than seven to 10 days, contact our Harriman family dentist.
Bad breath treatment in Kingston, Harriman and Rockwood, TN
Chronic bad breath can be embarrassing and frustrating. If you need a reset on your oral health, call LakeView Dental Arts for an exam and thorough cleaning. We can also give you helpful pointers for your at-home oral health regimen. Call us at (865) 248-2199, or reach out to us online to schedule an appointment today.
