Common Causes of Bad Breath
Bad breath is a problem which everyone at some point has experienced. It makes you feel self conscious and can actually make you feel very depressed.
The main cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene. Food can become trapped between your teeth which are then broken down by bacteria. If you do not floss and brush your teeth regularly then this can cause bad breath. It is important not to forget your tongue on your oral hygiene routine. Bacteria can also accumulate on the rough surface of the tongue and cleaning the tongue can help control bad breath.
The main time to experience bad breath is in the morning. The saliva in your mouth helps wash away food particles and during the night saliva production slows and the mouth becomes dry. The bacteria in your mouth breaks down any food particles releasing a stale smell that we all know as morning breath.
Of course not all bad breath is caused by poor oral hygiene. There are other contributors too:
• Certain foods and drink can make your breath smell such as garlic, onions and spices. Strong smelling drinks such as coffee can contribute. The bad breath caused by these is only temporary and can be controlled by good oral hygiene.
• Medicines taken for certain illnesses can cause bad breath but not in all cases. They include:
- nitrates for angina
- chemotherapy drugs
- phenothiazines which are tranquilizers
• Smoking is a major contributor to bad breath! It also stains your teeth and irritates your gums so overall bad news for your teeth! Smokers tend to have a stale smell of smoke to their breath and can even loose their sense of taste.
• Medical conditions that can cause bad breath include:
- xerostomia (dry mouth)
- bronchitis
- sinusitis
- diabetes
- liver or kidney problems
- gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)
The best thing you can doo to avoid ever having bad breath is to maintain good oral hygiene at home, see your Dentist every 6 months to 1 year, and have regular appointments with the Hygienist. They will be able to advise you and guide you to ensure bad breath never becomes a problem for you.
For pain free dentistry and Cosmetic Dentistry give our Cosmetic Dentist a call. Perfect Smile Spa is a cosmetic dentistry clinic situated in Hornchurch Essex.
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