Get Yourself Diagnosed If Affected by Halitosis
Are your family members complaining that you have bad breath emanating from your mouth whenever you get close to them? Breath odor is a problem affecting everyone at some stage of their lives. The bad breath from your mouth is not a life-threatening issue but is undoubtedly an embarrassing one, similar to losing your front teeth and being unable to smile.
Bad breath, also called halitosis, has another name, fetor oris. The odor can emanate from the mouth, teeth, or any other underlying health problem. The problem of halitosis is either temporary or chronic. The ADA confirms nearly 50 percent of adults have had halitosis at some point in their lives.
The Symptoms of Halitosis
Besides an awful smell from your mouth, you may also notice a sour taste. If the taste appears from an underlying situation and isn’t because of captured food particles in your teeth, the condition may not disappear even after brushing and flossing or using mouthwash.
What Causes Halitosis?
Inappropriate Dental Hygiene
Improper dental hygiene is one of the reasons causing halitosis. The food you have is broken down by bacteria in your mouth. The combination of decaying food and bacteria in your mouth produces an unpleasant odor. Brushing and flossing help remove trapped food particles before decaying. Brushing also helps remove plaque, a sticky substance building on your teeth and causing bad breath. Plaque buildup results in cavities and periodontal disease. If you are wearing dentures and don’t clean them every night, you can develop the condition of bad breath.
When your family members complain about the lousy odor from your mouth, you must act immediately and have yourself evaluated by the dentist near you to determine what is causing the condition.
Strong Foods and Drinks
If you frequently consume foods with strong odors like onions, garlic, and other varieties, your stomach absorbs oils from the foods when digesting them. The oils travel to your lungs, passing through your bloodstream. The oils in your lungs produce bad breath, making others notice the odor for up to 3 days. Consuming beverages with solid smells like coffee also contributes to the condition.
If you have periodontal disease because you don’t remove plaque from your teeth regularly, the buildup hardens into tartar and is nonremovable by brushing and flossing. Tartar causes small pockets between your teeth and gums, allowing for particles and bacteria to accumulate in them. When combined, they contribute to the problem of halitosis.
Halitosis can develop if you have a sinus infection, postnasal drainage, chronic bronchitis, and an infection in your upper or lower respiratory system.
Diagnosing Halitosis
When you visit the dentist in Satsuma, AL, the professional will smell your breath (poor guy) and inquire about the problem. The professional may recommend you schedule an appointment in the morning before brushing your teeth. You can expect questions about how often you brush and floss, the kind of foods you have, and any diseases or allergies affecting you. Providing information about any medications you take and whether you snore is beneficial during the evaluation.
When trying to diagnose the cause of your bad breath, the dentist in Satsuma smells your mouth, tongue, and nose to determine the source of the problem. If the condition is not related to your mouth, the dentist recommends you visit your primary health care provider to determine whether any underlying issue affects you.
What Are the Treatment Options for Halitosis?
Suppose the lousy odor results from plaque buildup halitosis treatment in Satsuma can resolve the issue by giving a dental cleaning. You benefit from deep teeth cleaning if periodontal disease is causing halitosis.
However, if halitosis results from underlying health conditions like sinus infections or kidney disease getting treatment for the problems also help improve breath odor. In addition, the dentist may recommend using an artificial saliva product if you are affected by xerostomia and drinking plenty of water if halitosis is caused by dry mouth.
How to Prevent Halitosis?
Brushing twice daily is a requirement you cannot ignore if you wish to prevent halitosis. Flossing is also required between all your teeth to remove plaque buildup and any trapped food particles. Using a tongue scraper also helps remove bacteria from your mouth.
Besides the above, you must stay hydrated to eliminate foul odor from your mouth. If you are a smoker quitting the habit helps keep your mouth moist and free from bad breath. You must replace your toothbrush every three months and clean your dentures or mouthguards practically every day. Schedule an appointment with your dentist for cleanings and exams every six months also helps eliminate halitosis from your mouth. We also welcome patients living in Williams Heights, Pennsylvania, Jill Ln, Carl Avenue, Sioux Avenue, Aaron Street, Bayou Oaks Drive North, and nearby areas.