Bad breath is an unfortunate fact of life. It can make it difficult to meet new people, go on a job interview, or even just talk with friends. Bad breath can be mask with mints or gum, but they won’t work if it’s caused by something other than your lunchtime pasta meal.
Bad breath can be caused by many things, some of which are serious enough that you should see your dentist. The following information will help you to distinguish the differences.
Simple-to-Remediate Causes
Your breath is affected by both the bacteria in your mouth and what you eat. You can treat minor cases with simple, top-of-the-line steps.
- Maintain good oral hygiene. To keep your breath fresh, brush twice daily and floss frequently. Brush your tongue twice a day. Most of the bad bacteria that causes bad breath is found on your tongue.
- Healthy Saliva Flow. The saliva cleans your mouth 24 hours per day and removes odor-causing bacteria. Healthy foods such as carrots, apples, and sugar-free gum can encourage healthy saliva flow.
More Serious Causes
You can make an appointment with your dentist if you are already practicing good dental hygiene but still have bad breath. You may need professional treatment for one of these conditions.
- Gum Disease. A persistent bad taste or bad breath can indicate advanced gum disease. Gum disease is not always painful so it’s important to get it treated as soon as possible. Pay attention to bad breath and persistent pain, and consult your dentist.
- Dry Mouth. An insufficient saliva flow can cause dry mouth. Although it is not a sign of a serious condition, dry mouth can indicate a medical condition, side effects of medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants or pain killers. Healthy saliva flow is essential for maintaining a healthy mouth, as we’ve already mentioned. You may feel dry all the time. Consult your dentist to determine if you have any serious conditions and make recommendations for how to restore moisture.
- Conditions. Bad breath can be a sign of certain diseases. Bad breath can be caused by conditions such as diabetes, sinus infections, bronchitis and certain liver or kidney diseases. You may be referred by your doctor if your dentist gives you a clean bill for your mouth.
Bad breath can cause cramps in your social life, but it could also indicate something that you should be more aware of.