What is underlying halitosis, more commonly known as bad breath? We all have been put in an awkward situation where we notice that our breath is as worse as we can remember it. So for all those situations and more, we have gathered some helpful information from dentists in Los Algodones.
So as a little introduction, we will be covering what it is, causes, ways to find out if you have bad breath at that moment, and of course how to deal with it.
What is halitosis?
Halitosis makes its appearance when there is bacteria and food buildup in our mouths, teeth and every corner they are allowed to be.
Though usually halitosis is a problem by itself, it is actually a common side-effect to other problems. About 60 percent of the time, the main problem is underlying somewhere else, such as in a cavity, as a result of gum disease, etc.
It is important to know that many people do not, and even ignore, brushing and scrubbing their tongues when they brush. Much like our teeth and gums, bacteria and food can get stuck in the tongue, so it is important to place some attention to this area as well.
Now, time to talk about the other reasons that can make halitosis happen, which is divided thorough the many factors.
Common causes for halitosis
Bad breath in our mouth is commonly the result of bacteria breaking down food and releasing sulphur.
So here we have some of the most common causes:
- Lack of or subpar brushing, flossing and mouth rinsing. Not taking care of our mouth twice a day means that bacteria can do whatever they please, and that is producing plaque, which harms our teeth.
- Food remnants. Leftover food, specially starchy and sugary ones, are likely a good reason why one might experience bad breath.
- Certain foods such as garlic, onion and spices have very strong smells that can last for quite a time.
- Diets with little to no calories are known to give way to halitosis.
- The smoke and ingredients in tobacco products last for quite a while, even after stopping.
- Dry mouth or xerostomia. Saliva works wonders at halting bacteria and getting rid of food remnants. If there is little production of it, there are more bacteria and more chances to get tooth decay.
- Other dental problems. Typically gum disease and caries.
- Pathologies and health problems.
How to know if you have bad breath
We often get asked this question when the topic of bad breath arises. A good way to know if you have a foul breath is to lick your wrist, let it dry, and then check if it smells.
Most devices used to know the odor of the mouth guide themselves with just that, the levels of sulphur.
How to avoid and get rid of halitosis
As we have been mentioning thorough the article, it is important to have goo d dental health. If we do not attack the root of the problem, then halitosis will always be an issue.
Other than that, Los Algodones dentists recommend following these in case you want to maintain a fresh breath:
- Avoid foods with too much condiments or are known for leaving unpleasant smells.
- Maintain a good diet with sufficient proteins and calories.
- Stop smoking and the use of tobacco products.
- Avoid coffee and alcohol.
- Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.
In the cases where halitosis does not disappear by following the previous items, then you might be in need of treatment. For this we suggest to look for somebody knowledgeable in the area in order to properly know where the problem comes from as well as the most efficient way to solve it.