Bad breath can be extremely embarrassing, and everyone will have it occasionally. But what can you do if your bad breath is more persistent?
While you can turn to mouthwash or breath mints, these will only freshen your breath temporarily. You may find that improving your brushing and flossing routine solves the problem, but if an underlying dental issue causes it, it’s time to come and see us.
It is important not to ignore persistent bad breath; it is embarrassing and can also indicate a problem that requires treatment.
What Can Cause Bad Breath?
You may develop bad breath or halitosis in Oshawa for many reasons. These include:
Eating Certain Foods
Foods like onions, spices and garlic can all cause halitosis. Once these foods are eliminated from your body, your breath should improve.
Smoking
Smoking and using tobacco products are well-known causes of bad breath. Also, these habits increase your risk of gum disease. Your risk of oral cancer is also higher, so it is well worth trying to quit if you can.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene is a major cause of bad breath. You must regularly clean your teeth to remove dental plaque and food particles. Otherwise, the bacteria in dental plaque can cause noxious odours, and rotting food trapped around your teeth can smell nasty.
If you have dental appliances like dentures or braces, failing to keep them clean allows food and plaque to build up.
Your risk of serious gum disease, called periodontitis, is higher without proper oral care. In addition to increasing the risk of tooth loss, periodontitis can cause persistent halitosis.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth or xerostomia is a common problem that many over-the-counter and prescription medications can cause. You need saliva to keep your mouth fresh and clean; without it, the risk of bad breath increases.
A lack of saliva can also increase the risk of common dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease as the drier conditions allow harmful bacteria to thrive. These conditions can lead to bad breath.
Other Conditions Affecting Your Mouth, Nose and Throat
Other conditions can cause infections or problems like postnasal drip, where fluid from your nose drips down the back of your throat, resulting in bad breath.
Some people can have a problem affecting their tonsils where small tonsil stones develop. These become covered with bacteria, resulting in halitosis.
Other Health Problems
Certain health problems like gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause halitosis. Some diseases like cancer can give breath a distinctive odour.
How We Can Help
At Margolian Dentistry, we can carry out a dental exam to see if there is a dental problem. If there is, we can suggest a suitable treatment plan to help restore fresh breath. We may also recommend reviewing your oral care routine with you to ensure you are brushing and flossing correctly and using the right tools.
A hygiene appointment with one of our dental hygienists can be a great idea, especially if it’s been a while since you last had your teeth cleaned professionally in Whitby.
When we clean your teeth professionally, we can get rid of all plaque and tartar buildup that can contribute to halitosis in Ajax. It’s an excellent treatment that leaves you with smooth, clean, shiny teeth and nice, fresh breath.
If we cannot find a reason for your bad breath and suspect it may be due to an underlying health condition, we will suggest you see your GP.
