Bad Breath

Bad  breath, which is also known as halitosis, is a common and embarrassing  condition. According to recent estimates, 75 million people in the  United States are affected by bad breath and 10 billion dollars are  spent annually on oral hygiene products to address the problem.

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While it is  perfectly normal to experience an acute bout of bad breath after eating  certain pungent foods such as spices, onions or garlic, being plagued by  constant bad breath is a different story. Chronic halitosis can be  attributed to a variety of different underlying causes including  inadequate oral hygiene, dental disease, oral infections, smoking and  tobacco habits, dry mouth, medications, diets, certain metabolic  disorders or other systemic problems that affect an individual’s overall  health.

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Treating Bad Breath Related to Oral Hygiene and Oral Health Issues

Since many  instances of chronic bad breath can be attributed to oral health issues,  seeing the dentist is a good first step in care. In the absence of an  effective regimen of oral hygiene, the odor-causing bacteria responsible  for bad breath and dental disease can proliferate throughout the mouth  and on the tongue as well as on dentures that have not been properly cleaned and maintained. With routine dental checkups, thorough dental cleanings and improvements in brushing, flossing and denture or appliance care at home, these types of bad breath issues can be effectively resolved.

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Other sources of bad breath related to oral health issues can include chronic dry mouth (xerostomia), gum disease, tooth decay, mouth sores, oral wounds or post-operative surgical sites. When the cause of bad breath is related to dental disease, an ulceration, or injury,  the dentist will provide the appropriate treatment to address the  condition or to promote tissue healing. In cases of bad breath due to  chronic dry mouth, the dentist may recommend methods of self-care or  medications to increase salivary flow, artificial saliva and other  therapeutic measures. It is important to keep in mind that dry mouth may  be a side effect of essential medications to address a systemic  condition.