What is Halitosis?
Halitosis goes beyond morning breath or bad breath caused by foods and can be a symptom of something more serious. If you experience chronic bad breath that does not go away with brushing and flossing, it is important to visit your dentist to see if your halitosis is an oral issue that your dentist can resolve or if it is a sign of an underlying medical issue requiring a visit to your general practitioner.
If you visit your dentist and they determine that the cause of your bad breath is not related to anything in your mouth, you should see your general practitioner as soon as possible. Underlying systemic problems that could cause halitosis include diabetes, liver disease, or gastric reflux disease.
What causes halitosis?
Oral Health
Oral hygiene not only keeps your mouth healthy, but it also helps with overall health. When plaque and bacteria accumulate, periodontal disease can develop and cause deep pockets in the space between the gum tissue and tooth surface. These pockets are natural but healthy gums have pocket depths of 0-3 millimeters, but gum disease can cause these pockets to deepen and is a great hiding spot for plaque and bacteria to build up, causing bad breath and tooth decay.
Dry mouth can also cause halitosis. Saliva regularly helps remove food particles and bacteria that can become trapped and cause decay and bad breath. Some prescription medications can also cause dry mouth, as well as alcohol and caffeine consumption, and tobacco use.
Using cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products has a profound negative effect on the health of your mouth and body. Patients who use tobacco products are more susceptible to gum disease and halitosis due to dry mouth.
Nose and Throat Infections
Sinus or other nose and throat infections can cause an overproduction of mucus, which can be a breeding ground for bacteria, making illnesses last longer. Post-nasal drip frequently leads to bad breath as well as a bad taste in the mouth.
How is halitosis treated?
Oral hygiene is the best way to prevent halitosis. Brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day is a great start. Using a tongue scraper can make an incredible difference, especially if you use tobacco. If you have periodontal disease, your dentist may advise a deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, to help clear out any buildup in your gum pockets that could be causing bad breath.
If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy, they may advise you to visit your general practitioner to see if there are any underlying issues that may be contributing to halitosis. Chronic bad breath is usually a sign of something wrong, so it is important to your health to determine the cause and treat it accordingly.