Causes Of Halitosis
Bad breath is a problem that is shared by millions of people across the country. Until recently, there really hasn’t been much of a methodical or scientific approach to treating bad breath (halitosis) conditions— and most treatments in the past have been generally unsuccessful. Some common treatments for bad breath have been carried out through the use of mouthwashes, mints, and gums to cover up odors; but these have not been effective in treating halitosis. Some of these remedies can actually worsen a bad breath condition.
The number of possible causes of halitosis is great. Look for yourself at the following abbreviated list of only some causes that are important to consider with respect to other general health aspects. For example, “What is the relation in the body that is being demonstrated as an effect of bad breath?”
Sinus infections & abnormal sinus anatomies, including post nasal drainage (nosedrip) and tonsilar are causes of bad breath as well as other diseases related to the lungs, kidneys and liver. Blood disorders such as Diabetes and gallbladder dysfunction also may be at the effective end of its bodily relationship to the mouth. Menstruation and certain foods have also been shown in the past to have had a causal impact on mouth odor.
Did you know that extensive dental decay or periodontal (gum) disease can often cause halitosis? So can oral infections or abscesses, oral cancers and xerostomia (dry mouth condition). Many medications can contribute to a condition of xerostomia. So, you see that what is important is not only the effect; but its cause. Oral conditions resulting from post-nasal drips or discharges can cause bad breath, as can allergy conditions and a proliferation of specific types of gram (-) anaerobic bacteria.
But don’t worry; now there’s a successful treatment for bad breath. Most cases of bad breath (halitosis) have multiple causes, and because of this you are recommended to take a combination approach to treating the problem. By doing this you can achieve the best results in eliminating a bad breath condition. You shouldn’t use products that claim to kill oral bacteria. Today, products and medications that alter the oral environment are used in such a way that the halitosis causing bacteria is dramatically reduced. That’s how a halitosis condition is finished off in a rather short period of time.
By treating the problem like this the levels of oral bacteria are returned to normal and healthy levels. It is not a good idea to use bactericidal products, because you’d be killing both the good and the bad bacteria. Bacteria are essential to human life. If you kill them all, you will be in for serious oral problems. Some products being recommended claim to kill bacteria, and for numerous reasons these have been found to be unsafe. They don’t work.
Be sure to visit your dentist regularly. Checkups help spot out physical problems. Checkups also help get rid of the plaque and bacteria that build up on your teeth. If you think that you suffer from bad breath, your dentist can help determine its source. He or she may ask you to schedule a separate appointment to find the source of the odor. Or, if your dentist thinks that the problem is caused from a systemic source (internal), such as an infection, he or she may refer you to your family physician.
Remember to practice good oral hygiene, like brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. To ease the odor, clean your tongue with your toothbrush or a tongue scraper (a plastic tool that scrapes away bacteria which builds on the tongue). Chewing sugar-free gum also may help control your odor. If you have dentures or a removable appliance, like a retainer or mouth-guard, you need to clean the appliance thoroughly before placing it back in your mouth. Before you use mouth rinses, deodorizing sprays or tablets, talk with your dentist, because these products only mask the odor temporarily, and because some products work better than others.
Currently Indexing Over 75 'BluePages' Covering 1,000+ topics!