No one wants to have bad breath. Halitosis may interfere with your social life and can affect your professional life and personal life, as well. Bad breath in the morning may be nothing to cause concern, but chronic halitosis could be a sign of a more advanced dental health concern. If regular oral hygiene does not wash away the smell, you should visit our Plano dentist office for an oral health exam.
What Causes Bad Breath?
Bad breath can be caused by poor personal oral hygiene, infected gums, tooth decay and a buildup of bacteria on the tongue or in the mouth. Even an upset stomach can lead to halitosis, or bad breath. People who don’t brush and floss at least a couple of times a day can have bad breath.
The most common cause of bad breath is excess bacteria in the mouth that hardened or imbedded itself and cannot be removed by a toothbrush or floss. The bacteria in the mouth can build up from particle of food that is not removed with brushing or flossing. This bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease and become imbedded in your tongue skin or surface that constitute your taste buds. The bacteria on your roots, under your fillings and old dental work or under your gums engages in a metabolic process that releases sulphur compounded gases. This is the odor we smell causing the most common type of halitosis.
Less common is bad breath as a result of postnasal drip caused by allergies, normally in the sinus. The final type is from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric contents expelled from the stomach and into the mouth, usually at night. Whatever the reason, we can diagnose the cause and provide solutions.
Have your teeth professionally cleaned by one of our registered dental hygienists at least two to four times per year, or every six months. This will remove any buildup of odor-causing plaque. Plano, TX dentist Dr. Mark Sowell will also recommend the right antibacterial rinse and other home-care products. Of course, one of the best ways to eliminate bad breath is to eliminate tooth decay by taking proper care of your teeth and gums and visiting Dr. Sowell regularly for checkups and professional cleanings. Frequent visits to our Plano dentist office will help Dr. Sowell catch any signs of complex oral health concerns early for conservative and comprehensive dental care.
Brush your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush at least twice each day, and preferably after each meal. Leaving food particles in your mouth will lead to bacteria. If you are unable to brush after a meal, at least rinse your mouth out with water to break loose as much food as you can that is trapped in between your teeth. Brush using small circular motions and hold your toothbrush so it is angled toward the teeth at the gum line where particles, bacteria and debris tend to collect. Floss at least once at the end of the day right after you brush and then rinse your mouth with an antibacterial rinse. Another effective way to eliminate halitosis is by using a special tongue scraper, which Dr. Sowell can provide.