Do You Know What Causes Bad Breath?
Did you know halitosis is the medical name for bad breath? If you have a chronic problem with bad breath, it might be time to visit the dentist.
Did you know eating more apples and oranges can improve your breath? Fruits and vegetables contain a lot of water, which can help keep your mouth moist. Saliva is nature’s way of keeping your breath fresh.
Did you know some foods can make your breath smell bad even after you’ve brushed your teeth? Smelly foods, such as garlic, is absorbed into your bloodstream and then transferred to your lungs, where it is expelled as a gas…making your breath stink! Brushing your teeth and rinsing with mouthwash will only temporarily hide the odor.
Did you know hamburgers and steak can worsen your breath? Eating red meat can worsen your breath; eating less meat may improve your breath. The decay of the leftover bits of proteins in meats and cheese can create odors in your breath.
Did you know if you brush and floss your teeth every day you could still have bad breath? Bad breath can be a symptom of a medical condition, including a respiratory infection, diabetes, or liver or kidney disease. If your dentist looks at your mouth and your bad breath isn’t coming from a problem with your teeth or gums, you might have to see your doctor about one of these or some other medical condition.
Did you know the amount of saliva your mouth makes can affect your breath? Normally, saliva washes particles of food out of your mouth, so people with dry mouth may have bad breath because they still have food particles stuck in there. The medical name for dry mouth is xerostomia.
Did you know you do need to clean a baby’s teeth? A cavity can develop in even the smallest and newest teeth. Infant gums can be cleaned with a soft cloth. When the first teeth appear, clean them with an infant toothbrush.
Did you know certain medications can contribute to bad breath? About 400 prescription drugs and some over-the-counter meds cause dry mouth. The lower amount of saliva contributes to an overgrowth of bacteria, which can produce an unpleasant breath smell.
Did you know your tonsils could be a cause of your bad breath? Bad breath, a sore throat, trouble swallowing, and fever are all symptoms of tonsillitis, an infection of the tonsils. Debris caught in your tonsils also can be a factor in bad breath.
Did you know it’s important to rinse your mouth after flossing? Rinsing after flossing helps remove the debris loosened by the floss.
Did you know you dentures could be a cause of bad breath? Dentures that are not cleaned properly can harbor bacteria and food particles, which cause bad breath. Removable dentures should be brushed and soaked in a disinfecting solution overnight.
Did you know keeping a log of what you eat could help determine the cause for bad breath? Maybe pastrami is your problem, or that expensive cheese you like — in any case, a log of what you eat can help your dentist figure out what’s triggering your bad breath.
Did you know that constant bad breath and bleeding gums is a sign of periodontal disease? Symptoms of gum disease, also called periodontal disease, include bleeding gums, constant bad breath, and gums that are pulling away from your teeth.
Did you know if you have bad breath, your children are not more likely to have bad breath too? According to a study in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Journal, children are not more likely to have bad breath if their mothers had bad breath.
Did you know smoking and tobacco use contribute to bad breath? In addition to staining teeth and being bad for overall health, tobacco can add to bad breath. Tobacco reduces your ability to taste foods and irritates gum tissues. Tobacco users are more likely to suffer from gum disease and are at greater risk for developing oral cancer. If you use tobacco, ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.
If you’re concerned about what’s causing your bad breath, make an appointment to see your dentist. Regular checkups allow your dentist to detect any problems such as gum disease or dry mouth.
Maintaining good oral hygiene, eliminating gum disease and scheduling regular professional cleanings are essential to reducing bad breath. Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily with floss. Brush your tongue, too. If you wear dentures, be sure to remove them at night and clean them thoroughly before replacing them the next morning.
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/rm-quiz-bad-breath
Leave a reply →
