Bad breath, sometimes known as halitosis, is a common problem. In most cases, it is caused by a build up of bacteria in the mouth, as a result of food debris, plaque, or gum disease.
It can be difficult to realise that you have bad breath. Bad breath tends to be noticed by other people first, and it may be difficult for them to tell you that you have it without embarrassing them or you. You may therefore have to rely on a close friend or family member to tell you that you have bad breath.
Causes of Bad Breath
Bad Breath is usually caused by the breakdown of proteins by bacteria somewhere in the mouth. If you don’t brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Bad breath can also be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor. Tobacco products also cause bad breath.
If you don’t brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, which promotes bacteria growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath. In addition, odor-causing bacteria and food particles can cause bad breath if dentures are not properly cleaned.
Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products can also cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce your ability to taste foods, and irritate gum tissues.
Symptoms of Bad Breath
Poor dental hygiene — Teeth are coated with film or plaque. You may have food trapped between the teeth and pale or swollen gums.
Infections in the mouth — Symptoms depend on the type of infection. They can include:
Red or swollen gums that may bleed easily, especially after brushing or flossing
Pus between teeth or a pocket of pus (abscess) at the base of a tooth
Dry mouth is a common bad breath symptom and is the main causes of halitosis. Chronic dry mouth or xerostomia causes several changes to occur in the mouth. For one, the bacteria become more concentrated in the saliva and tend to evaporate sooner into the air. If this happens, bad breath becomes stronger and more obvious at greater distance. The drying of the mouth alters the pH or acid/base balance of the mouth providing an environment conducive to the oral bacterial growth. Dry mouth usually results in a metallic taste or bitter taste in the mouth.
Treatment
Get a cleaning every six months to avoid plaque buildup.
Start by trying a fluoride mouth rinse or antibacterial mouthwashes, especially those containing chlorhexidine or zinc gluconate. Alcohol-based rinses dry the mouth and will usually worsen the problem.
Prepare your own hydrogen peroxide rinse to kill bacteria. Mix two teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide (at a concentration of 3%) with two teaspoons of water and gargle.
The most effective treatment of bad breath is to treat the cause. Poor oral hygiene can be improved by regular brushing and flossing, as well as regular dental checkups. Gentle brushing of the tongue should be part of daily oral hygiene. In addition to good oral hygiene, the judicious use of mouthwashes is helpful. Mouth dryness, experienced at night or during fasting, or due to certain medications and medical conditions, can contribute to bad breath. Dryness can be avoided by drinking adequate amounts of water. Chewing gum may be beneficial.
As mentioned, some medications, such as some high blood pressure medications, can cause dry mouth. If this problem is significant, a medication change, under the supervision of one’s health care provider, may improve the dry-mouth condition. Oral or sinus infections, once diagnosed, can be treated medically, usually with antibiotics. Lung infections and kidney or liver problems will, of course, need medical treatment.
