Bad breath, or halitosis, is an embarrassing issue that can make sufferers self-conscious and even cause them to avoid social situations. While very few people have sweet-smelling breath all the time, chronic halitosis is a problem that is persistent and difficult to solve.
If your loved one has suggested you have a problem, or you’ve noticed others pull away when you talk, you may have chronic bad breath. Over-the-counter remedies like mints are unlikely to help you at all, or they will provide just a temporary fix. To get rid of your halitosis for good, you need to get to the root of the problem.
As part of our general dentistry at Wayne Dental Care, we will examine your mouth and counsel you on lifestyle habits and other issues that could be causing your breath to smell bad. To request an appointment, fill out our online form or call our Wayne, PA office at 610-227-6143.
What’s Causing My Halitosis?
Halitosis can be a symptom of any number of issues concerning your health and lifestyle. In order to figure out what’s causing your particular case, we will examine your teeth and gums and talk about habits that may be contributing to the issue. Here are a few common issues that lead to chronic bad breath.
- Tooth decay and gum disease. If you have decay or any sort of infection in your mouth, that can lead to your breath smelling unpleasant. If you’ve recently had oral surgery, halitosis may indicate that your surgical wound has become infected.
- Food particles. If you don’t practice good oral hygiene, including flossing, bits of food may tend to get stuck in your teeth, where they attract the nasty bacteria that lead to halitosis. Strong-smelling foods, like onion and garlic, may also contribute to the problem.
- Tobacco. Smoking wreaks havoc on your body in lots of ways, including being one of the worst offenders when it comes to causing halitosis. It also greatly increases your chances of having gum disease, compounding the problem.
- Medications. Certain medications can contribute to bad breath. Some decrease the production of saliva, which is critical to keeping your mouth clean. Others release chemicals that affect the smell of your breath when they’re broken down in your body.
- Mouth, nose, and throat problems. Tonsil stones, post-nasal drip, and other conditions can lead to your breath smelling bad.
- Systemic disease. Certain diseases, such as cancer, produce chemicals that lead to breath odor.
How Can I Eliminate My Bad Breath?
The key to getting breath that doesn’t send people running in the other direction is to figure out what’s causing your halitosis. At Wayne Dental Care, we will help you find the issue and solve it. Often, it’s a matter of poor oral hygiene. We will show you the proper way to brush and floss to ensure your mouth is clean and free of food particles. If you have tooth decay or gum disease, we will initiate appropriate treatment and hopefully eliminate the problem. No matter the cause, we will help you track it down. To plan an appointment at our Wayne, PA office, fill out our online form or call 610-227-6143.