BAD BREATH

 

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Have YOU ever been stuck chatting with a person and wondering HOW on earth they don't smell their BAD BREATH?

Unfortunately, we usually can't tell when we have bad breath! WHY?

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This is likely because our nose becomes acclimated to the smells that we are exposed to for long periods of time, therefore we simply no longer "detect" the smell of our breath.

  The people around you, however, are likely able to pick up the scent of your breath!

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So how do YOU know if you have bad breath? 

 You could ask someone, try breathing into your cupped hand to catch a scent, or you could simply keep an eye out for people who stretch their necks backward when you walk by...

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The medical term for bad breath is HALitosis

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The American Dental Association claims that at least 50% of Americans will experience Halitosis at some point in their lifespan.

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WHAT CAUSES BAD BREATH?

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1. Bad breath is often caused by SULFUR COMPOUNDS, EMITTED BY BACTERIA.  These bacteria can live on and around your teeth, under your gums, on the top surface of your tongue, and in little pouches in your throat called an ESOPHAGEAL DIVERTICULUM. 

2. Certain foods such as

 -garlic

 -onions

 -dairy

 -fish

 -coffee

and other foods may cause an unpleasant odor varying from person to person 

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  3. Bad breath can emanate from the stomach, more specifically, YOUR GUT.   

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  4. Certain MEDICAL CONDITIONS may also emit an odor.

For example, alcoholics and diabetics may fall into a state known as KETOACIDOSIS which gives a very distinct odor. 

  5. A LOW-CARB DIET can result in KETOSIS. 

Ketosis is the process when your body begins to burn fat to create energy, due to an insufficient intake of carbohydrates. As your body burns fat, it releases Ketones. 

This process results in an identifiable malodor through a person's breath!

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HOW TO TREAT BAD BREATH

1. You may attempt to treat bad breath by MASKING THE SCENT.   
   Suggestions include mouthwash, gum, mints, and certain foods. This method is not likely to completely mask malodor.

2. REDUCING THE BACTERIA in your mouth.  
   Most of the bacteria in your mouth reside on top of your tongue. By cleaning your tongue using a tongue scraper, or rinsing your tongue directly under a stream of water,                                                                               you can rinse bacteria and other substances away, and prevent                                                                         bacteria from building up around your tastebuds and other small                                                                    crevices

3. BETTER ORAL HYGIENE                                                                                                                                               View the video of how to clean your teeth.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

4. If the bacteria and/or calcium stones are accumulating in the                                                                                  small esophageal diverticuli, I would advise you to consult with                                                                                 an Oral Surgeon or an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon for                                                                                    a solution to eliminating the pouch. Gargling with peroxide may                                                                               be effective depending  on the location and anatomy of the                                                                               pouch. 

5. Taking Probiotics!                                                                                                                                                       Taking Dental probiotics encourages the growth of GOOD                                                                               bacteria in your oral cavities and FIGHTS against unwanted bacteria that would cause bad breath.     I recently tried an oral probiotic from "The BioGaia Company". It's important to have a healthy mix of the gut, and oral bacteria since digestion does begin in the mouth! 

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ARE THERE ANY OTHER HALITOSIS SYMPTOMS?

FOR SOME PEOPLE, BAD BREATH MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY A FOUL TASTE. 

IF THIS TASTE IS THE RESULT OF TRAPPED FOOD OR BACTERIA, THE TASTE SHOULD DISAPPEAR AFTER PROPERLY BRUSHING YOUR TEETH AND CLEANING YOUR MOUTH.

SHOULD THE FOUL TASTE REMAIN AFTER CLEANING YOUR MOUTH, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE HALITOSIS IS A SYMPTOM OF AN UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITION.

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THE BEST PRODUCTS TO HELP PREVENT/TREAT BAD BREATH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I was surprised... BAD BREATH is not as commonly researched as you would think! 

Please always seek the care of your general dentist for any and all serious or unusual dental concerns!

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