Causes of and Solutions to Bad Breath
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a condition that can have a negative impact on everyday life and social interactions with others. It is an embarrassing condition that can cause co-workers, significant others and friends to offer up gum and breath mints when they work out where that nasty smell is coming from. Most people suffer bad breath to some extent at least once in a while, but for some, it is a problem that is more acute. It is also sometimes difficult to treat, as it can have many different causes.
There are types of foods and drink that can create bad breath – the most obvious ones are garlic and onions. The instance of bad breath caused by food is generally temporary, and for people with a more chronic condition, there is usually a more serious problems at the root of the cause. In these cases, over the counter products such as gum and mouth wash might fail to adequately address the problem. The first step is in understanding the causes of bad breath, which in turn leads to possible solutions.
Causes of Bad Breath
Certain foods can cause halitosis, but the condition generally subsides after a period of time and can usually be subdued more quickly if need be with a stick of gum or breath mint. Foods such as onions, garlic and some spices have a distinctive odor immediately after the meal, which may also linger for some time later. The main cause of this is the body digesting the food, which causes the same odor to be released as it is processed though digestive system. This type of bad breath is common, and can be corrected by limiting or avoiding those particular types of foods, brushing your teeth or using mouth wash.
In acute examples of bad breath there is usually a bacterial element involved. Bacteria can live in the soft tissue of the mouth such as the tongue and gums. If left untreated, these bacteria can cause tooth decay, gum disease or infections that in turn contribute to bad breath. Because these bacteria generally live under a layer of mucous, they can be difficult to reach, and thus, the condition becomes difficult to treat.
The Treatment of Bad Breath
The good news for those suffering with halitosis is that in most cases, it is easy to correct or treat. The first and most important step is to determine the cause of the odor and the easiest way to achieve this is by visiting a dental health professional who can conduct an oral exam. There are sometimes other contributing factors such as sinus trouble, smoking, and certain illnesses which can have a direct effect on a person's breath. Once the cause is determined, the dentist will make recommendations to help address the problem. It may be as simple as having a decaying tooth repaired or removed, a sinus infection addressed or an improvement to a persons oral care habits. It is especially important to keep one's back teeth clean as they are often neglected and as a result, they can be prone to harboring these oral bacteria.
Bad breath is not something that most of us want to have to deal with or more importantly - have someone else notice. This embarrassing condition can be avoided through proper oral health, regular dental checkups as well as using products that kill those bacteria that cause tooth decay.