Do you have problems with bad breath? Halitosis, or bad breath, is caused by bacteria collecting in your mouth. Here are some possible causes, and some solutions you can try.
1.
Dry Mouth
If your mouth is unusually dry from not enough saliva, bacteria can grow quickly and cause your breath to be unpleasant.
There are over 1800 different medications that can cause dry mouth. Some illnesses such as Sjogren's Disease can make your mouth dry. As we age, our saliva output sometimes diminishes. And sometimes depression and other illnesses can cause our mouths to become dryer than normal. Radiation treatments in the head and neck area can damage saliva glands and lower the amount of saliva our mouths produce.
Most drug stores carry products designed to moisten the mouth. Artificial saliva is an over-the-counter product that helps. Bioteen, a company that manufactures products to aleviate dry mouth, makes gum, candies and mouth rinses that help the mouth feel more moist. Drinking water frequently throughout the day also can help.
You should avoid sucking on sugary candies, and drinking soda pop, as these will cause cavities to form along the gumline. Many people drink soda pop or sports drinks because it makes their dry mouth feel better, but to avoid damage to the teeth, it's better to drink water.
2.
Gum Disease
If you haven't had your teeth cleaned in a long time, it's possible you have developed gum disease (Periodontal Disease) caused by calculus building up under your gums. Bacteria breed in these areas and bring on infection that can make the breath smell bad.
To treat Periodontal disease your dentist or hygienist might have to numb your teeth and gums and do a deep cleaning. After this cleaning, you need to brush twice a day and floss once a day, and have your teeth professionally cleaned every three or four months instead of every six months.
The tendency to have gum disease is hereditary, but even if you have this predisposition, you can avoid getting it by keeping your teeth and gums clean, and seeing your dentist regularly for a professional cleaning. Some people can get away with not flossing every day, but if you have Periodontal disease, or a tendency to develop it, you have to flosss daily if you want to keep your teeth, and avoid bad breath.
3.
Respiratory Infections
If you have chronic sinus infections, allergies or other respiratory issues, these can cause bad breath. Large tonsils sometimes collect bacteria that cause bad breath. Treating the infection can clear up the bad breath.
4.
Tooth Decay
If you have untreated cavities, you could develop bad breath. Bacteria causes cavities, and can also cause the breath to smell bad. Have those cavities fixed, and your breath will smell better.
If you are unable to treat the cause of your bad breath, or are unsure of the cause, you can treat the symptoms by using an antibacterial mouth rinse such as Listerine or Crest Pro Health. Some stores such as Walmart have generic antibacterial mouth washes that work just as well as the name brands.
Sugar free gum containing Xylitol kills oral bacteria that can cause bad breath. Check out Orbit gum, or others. Check the ingredients label and look for Xylitol.
Twice daily brushing for two minutes each time (two minutes seems like forever, so be sure to use a timer), and once daily flossing can prevent a myriad of oral problems, including bad breath.
