Bad breath occurs often. If you have had bad breath on a date, during a job interview, or just being with your family or friends, you are not alone. Research studies have proven that 50 percent of adults have had bad breath, or halitosis, on some occasion in their lives.
Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath. Everyone might get bad breath every so often, especially after eating some garlic, onions, or other foods of this nature. But if your bad breath will not go away, which is chronic halitosis, it may mean you could have an oral health issue or a concern that is more serious.
Halitosis can be a symptom of a variety of different conditions. It might be a warning message from your body. Identifying the source of your halitosis is the first step in treating the primary issue.
What Causes Bad Breath?
There can be a variety of reasons you have bad breath. Many reasons are actually harmless, but bad breath can be a sign of something more serious.
- Bacteria- Bad breath can occur naturally from the hundreds of types of bad breath-causing bacteria that are in your mouth every day. Your mouth naturally allows these bacteria to grow. When you eat, bacteria will feed on any food particles left in your mouth, leaving a foul-smelling waste product behind.
- Dry Mouth- Your mouth may not be producing enough saliva. Saliva is absolutely crucial because it works nonstop to continually wash your mouth. If you do not have enough saliva, your mouth is not being cleaned as it should be. A dry mouth might be the result of certain medications, salivary gland problems, or even breathing through your mouth.
- Gum Disease- Bad breath which is persistent and does not go away may be a warning sign of gum disease, which is caused by sticky bacteria carrying plaque on your teeth.
- Food- Garlic, onions, coffee, etc. The list of breath-offending foods can be long, and what you eat will certainly affect your breath.
- Smoking and Tobacco- Smoking will stain your teeth, give you bad breath, and will also increase your risk of a variety of health problems. Tobacco reduces your natural ability to taste foods and irritates gum tissues as well. Tobacco users quite often suffer from gum disease. Smoking also affects your sense of smell, so if you do smoke, you might not be aware of your halitosis.
- Medical Conditions- Mouth infections could cause bad breath. If your dental team has ruled out other sources and you do brush and floss every day, your bad breath may be the result of a medical problem, such as a sinus condition, diabetes, gastric reflux, liver, or kidney disease. If this is your situation, see your dentist or your doctor.
Treating Halitosis
Successful halitosis treatments depend on the primary cause. If your bad breath is simply from your poor oral hygiene, then a professional dental cleaning at your dental office, combined with your improved oral hygiene at home, will help.
If your halitosis is a symptom of another condition in your body, your family doctor can help you with both a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Your dentist may also recommend a special mouth rinse to combat some specific bacteria in your mouth.