Halitosis or Bad Breath Causes and Treatment

Everyone has experienced bad breath, whether it is common morning breath or the result of a particularly pungent lunch. These cases are fairly easily treated with a good brushing or remedies such as mints or mouthwash. If you experience chronic bad breath, however, it could be halitosis, which remains for an extended amount of time. Not only is it inconvenient and uncomfortable, but halitosis can also be a sign of a more serious health issue. At A&A Dental in New Jersey, your dentist can give you a thorough cleaning and exam to determine what the cause may be and develop a treatment plan.

What causes halitosis or bad breath?

Dry mouth: the most common cause of halitosis. Saliva does more than just assisting with digestion and breaking down food – it also rinses and removes unwanted debris in your mouth and provides substances that fight diseases and prevent cavities. Dry mouth can be the result of taking certain medications, certain medical conditions, alcohol or tobacco use, or excessive caffeine.

Dental issues: cavities and gum disease create new places for bad breath bacteria to hide. It can be difficult to clean when brushing or flossing, leading to halitosis.

Smoking and tobacco: tobacco products not only leave an odor in the mouth, but they can also dry out the mouth. Additionally, smokers are more likely to develop gum disease, which can cause halitosis.

More serious health issues: Sometimes, halitosis can be a sign of something more serious, such as pneumonia, cancer, nasal polyps, infection, diabetes, liver or kidney disease, mouth sores, or acid reflux.

Treatment

The first step in treating halitosis is ensuring that you have a healthy daily dental routine. This includes brushing twice a day (for two minutes) using a fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day. It is also important to drink enough water. Chewing sugarless gum (with the ADA Seal of Acceptance) can help to freshen breath as well as cutting back on caffeine consumption.

If these steps do not help with bad breath, see your dentist at A&A Dental. After an exam, he or she can rule out any oral health problems and advise you on next steps. This can include the use of specific dental products or treatment plans to take care of cavities or gum disease. You may be referred to a medical provider to follow up.

If you are tired of suffering from bad breath, make an appointment at A&A Dental in New Jersey to figure out a way to address it.