Bad breath -- or halitosis -- is very common, can be short or long lasting, and is something that as a dental team we get asked about all the time.
Our patients with halitosis want to know why their breath doesn't feel fresh what they can do to improve it. In this month's blog post we'll go over some common causes for bad breath and some ways it might be addressed.
As always, when you want to know more about your own oral condition and ways to improve it, the best course of action is to call Carly and make an appointment to see Dr. Messina or Rachel. A trained dental professional can assess your mouth and overall health and partner with you to improve it and then maintain it.
Causes of Bad Breath
Several common sources of halitosis are conditions inside your mouth, illnesses of other parts of your body, medications you may be taking, or certain foods and drinks you consume
- Conditions in your mouth: Most of the time, the root of chronic bad breath is something unbalanced inside the mouth, such as a coating of food/bacteria on the tongue, deep cavities of the teeth, dry mouth, or unaddressed gum disease.
- Systemic illnesses: Bad breath can also be a sign of illnesses involving other parts of your body. A common example: bacteria associated with bad breath grow in the nose, sinuses, or tonsils when those tissues are swollen, such as when you have an infection or allergic reaction. Tonsil stones in particular are linked to halitosis. Other conditions that affect the breath are the digestive system (like gastric reflux or ulcers), diabetes, and liver or kidney disease.
- Medications: Certain prescription or even over the counter medications can also cause bad breath. Medications that can affect breath odor include acetaminophen (Tylenol), some allergy medicines, and chemotherapy treatments.
- Foods and drinks: Temporary bad breath can certainly be triggered by what we eat and drink, and some of the most well known are garlic, onions, and fish. But some people don't know that coffee and alcoholic beverages can dry your mouth, which also makes breath smell bad.
Controlling Bad Breath
Since most cases of bad breath begin in the mouth, good oral hygiene is a smart first step to controlling breath odor. To help keep your mouth clean at home:
- brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- clean between teeth daily with floss or another product suited to this task, like small brushes, picks, or a Waterpik water flosser
You can also look for an over-the-counter mouthrinse to help freshen breath. Dr. Messina and Rachel recommend products that have the ADA Seal of Acceptance for addressing and relieving bad breath. These products have been demonstrated to meet ADA Seal standards for safety and efficacy, and are a good place to start.
It's also a good idea to pay attention to what you eat and drink. Avoiding foods like garlic and onions, and limiting your consumption of coffee and alcoholic beverages will certainly keep your breath fresher around the clock. Drinking plenty of water is another golden rule to keeping your mouth moist and therefore keeping halitosis at bay.
Finally, if you are concerned about your breath, make an appointment with our team. Dr. Messina and Rachel can help keep your mouth clean and healthy, which may solve the problem. If chronic bad breath is the issue and a dental approach doesn't prove entirely effective at relieving it, Dr. Messina may make a referral to a physician who can help you identify and address other systemic causes.
The Last Word on Bad Breath
Unpleasant breath can be caused by a number of factors, including your oral and/or overall health. In many cases, good care in our dental office and at home with your brush and floss can go a long way towards improving breath. And where further intervention is needed, we can help you identify and seek out appropriate care.
Dr. Messina and Rachel are passionate about helping you maintain oral and overall health, and they welcome any questions you have. Call Carly or stop on by! It is our privilege to care for you.
We write a blog post every month to keep our patients and our community updated on important dental topics, so be sure to check back here often! And don't forget: we love your questions! We welcome discussion of these blog topics or anything you're curious about. Our patient family is the best part of our practice, and we are grateful for you!