Bad breath is something that everyone deals with at some point, but some people experience severe bad breath, also known as halitosis. It is a condition that can either be chronic or temporary, leading to an embarrassing moment that is offensive to people you are talking to. Here is what you should know about halitosis causes, treatment, and prevention.
The Cause of Halitosis
Many factors can contribute to somebody having halitosis. The most common ones include:
- Not practicing good dental hygiene
- Not caring for dentures properly
- Smoking
- Having a poor diet
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Diabetes
- Sinusitis
- Oral infections
- Cavities
The Treatment of Halitosis
For those that have chronic halitosis, you'll want to visit a dentist to see what they can do. They can perform an exam to look at what is going on in your mouth, and ask questions about your lifestyle and other symptoms that could be causing it. This helps determine what the cause of halitosis could be, so they can recommend a treatment for it. In order to treat halitosis, it usually involves resolving one or several of the common causes.
Treatment will start by having a teeth cleaning performed, which will help remove any excess bacteria and plaque on your teeth that cause bad breath. Afterward, you may be recommended to make some changes, such as adjusting your diet, having dental issues treated, or even visiting a doctor for other medical conditions. There is a possibility that the medications you are taking could be causing your bad breath, and a change may be necessary.
The Prevention of Halitosis
While it is difficult to completely prevent you from having halitosis, there are things you can do to lower your chance of developing the problem. It is easy as following a couple simple tips. If you are a smoker, you'll need to work on giving up the habit, since nicotine products are known to cause bad breath. You will need to stay on top of brushing and flossing regularly, and making sure that you attend your semi-annual cleanings. Drinking more water will cause your body to produce saliva, which helps keep your mouth free of bacteria that can cause bad breath.
It may take some time to get rid of your bad breath, but the end result will be a renewed confidence that you won't feel embarrassed when in close proximity to another person. See a dentist, like Guerschon de Laurent DDS, for more information.
