Halitosis is the clinical word used to describe chronic bad breath. It is estimated that 25% of people are affected with this condition. Unfortunately, this is not something that a quick tooth brushing and mouthwash gargle in the morning will get rid of. If you do have halitosis for an extended amount of time it is possible it could be a sign of an underlying health issue.
Xerostomia, also known as chronic dry mouth, occurs when the production of saliva is slowed down. One of the jobs of saliva is to wash away leftover food particles and bacteria from your mouth. When saliva is not present to perform this task, the bacteria can cause a very unpleasant odor in your mouth. There are many things that can cause dry mouth such as age, taking certain medications and receiving cancer therapy. To help stimulate saliva production you can try chewing sugar free gum or sucking on sugarless candies, rinsing with alcohol free mouthwash regularly and drinking more water throughout the day. If possible, avoid medications such as hormone medications, antihypertensives, antihistamines and bronchodilators. Many medications can contribute to bad breath since they can cause dry mouth.
Most of us know that onions and garlic can cause bad breath, but there are many other foods out there that could also be causing halitosis.
Rough, crispy fruits and vegetables such as carrots, celery or apples are great to snack on. These foods can help increase your saliva flow to help wash away the bad bacteria that causes bad breath from your teeth, tongue and gums.
Poor dental hygiene, which in turn produces plaque that causes gingivitis, cavities and periodontal disease can all be causes of bad breath. According to the American Dental Association (ADA) the lack of saliva produced in the mouth with halitosis can also increase the chance of developing dental decay, demineralization of teeth, tooth sensitivity, and/or oral infections. If you are experiencing any of these issues, or have concerns, it’s important bring ask your dentist or Orthodontist at your next scheduled appointment.
Certain infections and chronic inflammation can lead to postnasal drip contributing to bad breath. Bacteria from these infections can also form on your tonsils and produce an unpleasant odor.
Conditions such as certain cancers, diabetes, liver and kidney disease can all cause halitosis due to the chemicals they produce in the body. Gastric reflux disease is another cause of bad breath due to the constant reflux of stomach acids.
Smoking and other tobacco products can leave their own smell on your breath and can also contribute to dry mouth which as we know can cause bad breath.
In general to keep bad breath at bay you should follow a healthy dental routine by doing the following:
Keeping up with good oral hygiene while wearing braces or Invisalign is extremely important. It takes more effort to keep your teeth and gums healthy with brackets and wires in the way. If you are worried about Halitosis while in Orthodontic treatment, ask your orthodontist for tips on how to avoid bad breath. At Cardinal Orthodontics, we do our best to prepare our patients for issues such as these.
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