Three Causes Of Halitosis And How Your Dentist Can Help
Posted on: 18 March 2015
Halitosis is the medical term for chronic bad breath. If you constantly brush, rinse and gargle but your breath still smells like a garbage disposal run afoul, then there might be other issues of which you are not aware. A dentist can diagnose and treat, or at least refer you to a doctor who can treat, these lesser known causes of bad breath.
Sinus Infections
Many people suffer from very mild sinus infections; some are so mild that they do not know they have them. These minor infections come and go quickly, mimicking the common cold with one major difference--foul breath. The bacteria in the sinus passages takes on a very nasty smell, and it only has two possible exits: your nose and your mouth. If your dentist cannot find anything in your mouth to indicate a problem, he or she might refer you to an otolaryngologist who can pinpoint the source by examining your sinuses.
Decaying Food Particles
Despite the fact that you brush and use mouthwash, if you do not floss you will still have bad breath. Food particles that your dental routine does not reach and remove continue to decay below the gum line, creating a foul stench of mixed odors. If you have not flossed in a while, try it now, and take a whiff of anything your floss pulls from under and between your teeth. You will be unpleasantly surprised at how gross the smell is. If this is the only cause of your bad breath, your dentist will instruct you to floss more often.
Dry Mouth
Mouth-breathers, or people who commonly breathe with their mouths open during sleep, will experience more bad breath than the average person. As the mouth becomes very dry and sticky, the bacteria on your tongue, in your throat, and in your oral cavity in general begins to propagate. Then your mouth is like one giant Petri dish of smelly yuck. Your dentist can prescribe chin straps and/or oral mists which help keep your mouth moist and eradicate the problem.
Your Dentist Will Search and Eliminate Causes of Halitosis
Because halitosis can be very embarassing, your dentist will do everything he or she can to find the cause and help you treat the problem. Your dentist has his or her own motivation to do so--he or she has to work on your mouth and it is not pleasant for him or her either. Having a cleaner-smelling, fresher mouth makes both you and your dentist happier.
Talk to dentists at places like Alegre Dental and Braces for more information and solutions.
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