The Truth Behind What Really Causes Bad Breath
Garlic is one of the more notorious villains in the on-going fight against halitosis, but it’s not the only thing that can cause bad breath! This is something that everyone experiences at least once or twice in their life. In many cases, the cause is food that was consumed by the sufferer. This isn’t always the case, there are actually quite a few things that can cause it.
Stinky bad breath? Must be the garlic!
It’s no secret that garlic has a bad reputation for being a common cause, but it’s not alone. In fact, there are many foods that are credited as foul breath culprits! Coffee, horseradish, kombucha, onions, tuna, tomatoes, eggs and even beef are listed among as some of the most common. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. The truth is that there’s several reasons that food can this. What do most these foods have in common? Very strong odors! While other foods cause it due to their acidic qualities, high quantities of sugar or even from being lodged between teeth! This doesn’t mean you should avoid these foods altogether. However, knowing that they cause bad breath is the first step to preventing it, as well as good oral hygiene!
Plaque stinks! Really, it does!
It’s the truth, one of the main causes for some patients is periodontal (gum) disease. Patients who have periodontal related halitosis often suffer from a bad taste in their mouth as well. This is one of the warning signs of gum disease! The buildup of plaque from poor oral hygiene causes the patient to develop foul breath. Which isn’t the only thing that periodontal disease can cause. In fact, studies into the Oral Systemic Link show that it can correlate with cardiac (heart) disease, strokes, diabetes and even Alzheimer’s. All the more reason to keep your teeth clean and healthy!
Dry mouth can cause halitosis too!
Most people wouldn’t think much of dry mouth, but it can actually cause the affected patient uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing issues. One of these issues it causes bad breath! Dry mouth is caused by a number of things, including side effects of various medications, salivary gland issues and even constant breathing through the mouth. Saliva plays a vital role in our oral health, clearing away food debris after we’ve eaten. If we are low on saliva, our ability to self-cleanse our mouths is depleted! There are several things that patients with low saliva levels can do to prevent this from happening. Most dentists recommend using sugarless candy and increasing your fluid intake to increase your saliva amount. In some cases, a dentist may even prescribe an artificial saliva for the patient.
Smoking causes more than cancer!
We all know that smoking and tobacco use can lead to lung or oral cancer! It can also cause foul breath, especially in habitual smokers. It can cause halitosis directly, as well as increase the risks for a patient to have chronic dry mouth and even periodontal disease. It’s not just smoking though! Dip, also known as chewing tobacco, can cause halitosis, cancer and even periodontal disease as well. If you or a loved one are a smoker, interested in breaking the habit, let your dentist know. There are many ways they can help you with the process of successfully quitting.
Bad breath is something that we all can relate to, even if just once in our lives. For those who suffer from it on a regular basis it can be frustrating and embarrassing to live with. We believe that everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their own smile. Which is why we want to ensure all of our patients get the best treatment available, including for halitosis. If you are interested in learning more about foul breath and how to prevent it, feel free to contact us today!
