Having bad breath isn't really dangerous, but it can be unpleasant and embarrassing. In some cases, it can also point to an underlying problem. If you've been struggling with keeping your breath fresh, and you don't know
why, check out these five common causes of bad breath, so you can fix it once and for all.
Your mouth always has bacteria, but if you neglect brushing and flossing, a lot of plaque begins to build, which attracts more and more bacteria. As the bacteria feast on the plaque, they create a byproduct: acid. This acid is what leads to enamel erosion and decay.
If this is the case, you can usually fix the problem by brushing your teeth, which will get rid of the plaque and bacteria. However, don't forget to brush your tongue, which can harbor a lot of stinky plaque.
If you often neglect your oral health, advanced decay may lead to a tooth abscess or infection. At first, this may not produce any symptoms, including bad breath. However, as the abscess gets bigger, it can actually begin to ooze pus from between the tooth and gum line.
Not only can this create a bitter taste in your mouth, but it can make your breath smell like pus. Brushing your teeth will get rid of the exposed pus, but the odor may linger, especially if the pus continues to ooze. Your best treatment is root canal treatment to remove the infection.
Tobacco is just plain terrible for your oral health. Side effects of using tobacco products range from stained teeth to advanced gum disease. However, tobacco products can also give you unpleasant breath.
As an added insult, using tobacco products may promote a coated tongue, which is just a layer of plaque on your tongue (usually off-white or yellow). It can be difficult to brush this thick layer away every day, leaving you with a dirty looking tongue and bad breath from the plaque and food particles. The best treatment is to stop using tobacco products.
Some medications can actually promote bad breath. Some contain certain chemicals that end up in your breath. However, many patients suffer from dry mouth because of their medications. Dry mouth is when your mouth doesn't naturally produce enough saliva.
Saliva helps to wash away plaque and bacteria between brushing, so if your mouth becomes dry, decay is more likely as the plaque is given longer time to turn into tartar. You can talk to your doctor about switching to a different medication, or you can use over-the-counter products for dry mouth, such as special mouthwash.
Finally, your bad breath may have nothing to do with your oral health. Many metabolic disorders affect how your body processes nutrients, and if something isn't done correctly, it can lead to byproducts in your breath.
Similarly, gastric disorders like GERD can lead to higher levels of VSCs in your breath. This is caused when the stomach lining begins to breakdown. The common bacteria H. pylori, which is a common cause of stomach ulcers, also produce VSCs. Treatment starts with treating the condition that is causing the bad breath.
Bad breath makes you want to hide from anyone, and there are a lot of mistakes you could be making that cause bad breath. However,
in some cases, your bad breath may be an indication of a deeper issue, such as GERD. If you would like more information regarding bad breath causes and how your dentist may be able to help,
contact us at
Treman and
Treman Family Dental Care today.
