Halitosis, we’ve all had it at one time or other. What is halitosis you ask? Halitosis is another word for bad breath. Bad breath could be cause by several different factors. We’ll cover some of the causes of bad breath and the solutions.
Bad breath is caused by bacteria, which live on our teeth and gum. These bacteria feast on food particles left behind on our teeth creating VSC (volatile sulfur compounds). These VSC gives your breath a foul odor.
- Brushing 2-3 minutes and flossing at least twice a day removes the bacteria and food particles left behind so that they can no longer create VSC.
- If you’re unable to brush after a meal or snack try chewing on sugarless gum. This action helps clean the teeth and stimulate saliva, which cleanse the mouth, and dissolves odorous VSC.
Hiding deep in the crevices of the tongue you will find the odor causing bacteria which live safe from oxygen under a protective layer of mucous, food particles and proteins.
- Cleaning your tongue will remove this layer and much of the bacteria, which resides on your tongue. Clean near the back of your tongue where most of the bacteria reside.
A dry mouth is the ideal home for odor causing bacteria. Saliva normally keeps the mouth moist which help wash away the food particles bacteria feed on and dissolves VSC. Several actions contribute to a dry mouth or a reduction in saliva flow; these include prescription medications, excessive talking, exercising, dieting, drinking alcohol or smoking.
- Drink plenty of water. By drinking plenty of water we stimulate saliva flow and wash away food particles and moisten the mouth, making it less inviting to the odor causing bacteria.
A dentist can diagnose problems that have a result in bad breath such as abscesses, periodontal disease, and impacted teeth. Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the gums, which creates new hiding spots in the gums for odor causing bacteria.
- A yearly dental check up with routine cleanings and x-rays are recommended to stop the onset of gum disease and cavities before they start.
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