Do you suffer from bad breath? We’re not talking about the occasional bad breath that results from eating foods like garlic or onion. Chronic bad breath, even after you’ve brushed and used mouthwash, indicates that a serious oral health problem is brewing.
Today, the Troy Dentist answers a few questions that will help you understand the connection between your bad breath and the state of your oral health.
I’ve developed noticeably bad breath throughout the day. Should I be concerned?
Persistent bad breath, or halitosis, is a very common complaint that is thought to affect millions of people. Estimates indicate that perhaps 25 to 50 percent of middle aged and older adults are affected. It’s the third most common patients give for seeing a dentist (after tooth decay and gum disease).
Can bad breath come from somewhere other than the mouth?
Most of the time, bad breath originates in the mouth. However, it can also come from the nose as a result of a sinus infection. In some cases, pus from the tonsils can cause halitosis. There are also a few diseases that sometimes give your breath an unpleasant odor.
What exactly causes my mouth to smell bad?
In a word, bacteria. Millions of these microorganisms coat the lining of your mouth and the tongue. When they aren’t controlled with good oral hygiene, or when they begin multiplying in inaccessible areas, like the back of the tongue or under the gums — they may start releasing the smells of decaying matter.
How can I control my bad breath?
Breath mints just a band aid solution. Your best bet is to come in to see the Troy Dentist for an examination. We have several ways of finding out exactly what’s causing your bad breath, and then treating it.
Depending on your individual needs, we may offer oral hygiene instruction, a professional cleaning, or treatment for gum disease or tooth decay. Bad breath can be embarrassing problem, but you don’t have to live with the problem.