Halitosis

Halitosis, also known as bad breath, is an unpleasant condition that can be associated with embarrassment, affecting an individual’s self-esteem, inevitably having social implications as well. As your dentist, our focus is determining the the cause, & then working with you to find the proper treatment regimen to eliminate the condition.

We understand the social & personal implications that halitosis can have on our patients. We have created this to bring solutions to this potentially embarrassing and, for the most part, treatable condition.

Factors that can cause Bad Breath

Diet

What you eat affects the air you exhale. The types of food you may contribute to displeasing odor. The foul odor is usually caused by the breakdown of proteins by bacteria in the mouth. Specifically, garlic, onions, & cheese are common culprits. Once these kinds of foods are absorbed in the bloodstream, they are transferred to the lungs where it is expelled which in turn results in the malodor. This will continue until the body eliminates the food. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Not brushing & flossing-, allowing food particles to accumulate, even rot, on/in between teeth, on the tongue & around the gums, leading to the collection of bacteria. Most of the compounds that cause bad breath are the waste placement of flowable composite filling material to coat the grooves produces of bacteria. Dental plaque accumulation (above and below the gum line and on the tongue) can tip the scales in favor of the odor-causing bacteria.

Xerostomia/Dry Mouth

Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth & remove particles that may cause malodors. The reduction of saliva may be caused me a number of things. It is, in fact, a side effect of many medications. Additionally, age, damaged salivary glands, mouth-breathing, chemo & radiation therapy, & some autoimmune diseases can contribute to dry mouth as well.
Explore more about dry mouth in the video below:

Tobacco

Tobacco causes halitosis in a number of ways. Smoking & chewing tobacco inhibits saliva flow, resulting in dry mouth. Also, by affecting the small blood vessels that provide nutrients to the gum & bone that support the teeth, tobacco also contributes to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is characterized by pocketing. These areas surrounding teeth are more susceptible to bacteria which cause halitosis.

Additionally, tobacco residue can adhere to the cheeks, teeth & tongue, which itself leaves an unpleasant odor. Also, sinus problems are made more sever with the use of tobacco, which due to things like post-nasal drip, can then lead to foul-smelling breath.

Solutions for Bad Breath:

Diet

Spices: parsley, coriander, spearmint, tarragon, eucalyptus, rosemary and cardamom cloves, fennel, or anise seeds
Yogurt→ reduces the level of odor-causing hydrogen sulfide in the mouth & the amount bacteria in the mouth
Apples, carrots, celery→ basically any fiber-rich fruit or vegetable
Sugarless gums & candy→ stimulates saliva flow
Eating berries, citrus fruits, melons, and other vitamin C-rich foods→ create an inhospitable environment for bacteria growth
Pineapple juice

Good Oral Hygiene

Initiating a solid daily oral hygiene regimen is of great importance to maintain good oral health. This should include:

Floss twice a day
Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste;
Eat a balanced diet Limit frequency of snacks/meals & give preference to nutritious foods for snacks & water
Visit your dentist regularly Supplement flossing & brushing with a rinse that contains Fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent decay

Hydrate

To combat dry mouth, it is important to determine the cause. Generally, some ways to prevent dry mouth are:

Artificial saliva/saliva substitutes
Sugarless gums and candy can be utilized to stimulate saliva.
Drink copious amounts of water
Reduce coffee/alcohol/tobacco intake
Use of a humidifier at night

Avoid Tobacco

Most people who do smoke are aware of the multiple health issues that result from tobacco. In terms of oral health alone, in addition to halitosis, the effects of tobacco include: oral cancer, periodontal (gum) disease, delayed healing after a tooth extraction or other oral surgery, less options for some kinds of dental care (smokers can be poor candidates for particular treatments such as implants), staining of teeth and tongue, & diminished sense of taste and smell.

We are here to support you, alongside your physician, to take the steps in quitting the terrible habit. For more information, read more here.

Educate Yourself

Halitosis

Factors that can cause Bad Breath

Diet

Poor Oral Hygiene

Xerostomia/Dry Mouth

Tobacco

Solutions for Bad Breath:

Diet

Good Oral Hygiene

Hydrate

Avoid Tobacco

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