BRANSON, MISSOURI – The holiday season means friends, family and parties for many people, and the last thing they want on their mind is whether they are assaulting loved ones with offensive oral odor.
The good news is that bad breath, medically called halitosis, is not something that someone has to live with or attempt to cover up with breath mints or gum, according to the Branson dentists at Barnett-Davis Dental Group.
The problem may arise from poor dental health habits or be a sign of other health problems, and it can be exacerbated by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.
How Does What You Eat Affect Breath?
Most people realize that when they eat foods with strong odors like garlic or onions they risk having bad breath. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize how long this “onion breath” lingers because most people are unable to smell their own bad breath.
“If you eat foods with strong odors like garlic or onions, you can try to mask the odor with brushing, flossing, mouthwash or mints but this will only work temporarily,” says Dr. Kelly Barnett, a dental care provider. “The offending odors will not go away completely until those foods have passed through your digestive system.”
Basically, all the food you eat begins to be broken down in your mouth. As foods are digested and absorbed into your bloodstream and then they are eventually carried to your lungs and given off in your breath.
“The best way to avoid this type of bad breath is to avoid garlic and onions, especially if you know that you will be in close conversations with other people that day,” adds Dr. Kelly Barnett.
Why Do Poor Dental Habits Cause Bad Breath?
Poor dental hygiene can be another cause of bad breath. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, which promotes bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums and on the tongue, explains Dr. Tracy Davis, a tooth whitening provider.
She adds, “Poor hygiene habits or lack of regular professional cleanings can also lead to periodontal or gum disease which will cause chronic mouth odors.”
Even people that do not have teeth can have bad breath. Failure to properly clean dentures or other dental appliances will leave odor-causing bacteria and food particles on the dental device contributing to bad breath.
Smoking and chewing tobacco-based products can also cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce ability to taste foods and irritate the gums.
What Health Problems Are Associated With Bad Breath?
Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth may be warning signs of gum disease, called periodontal disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. The bacteria cause toxins to form in the mouth, which irritate the gums. If gum disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and supporting jawbone.
Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections of the mouth and dental caries.
“Certain medical conditions like dry mouth, also called xerostomia, can also cause bad breath,” says Dr. Marc Barnett, a laser dentistry expert.
Saliva is necessary to moisten and cleanse the mouth by neutralizing acids produced by plaque and washing away dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be caused by the side effects of various medications, salivary gland problems or continuous breathing through the mouth.
Many other diseases and illnesses, many not even originating in the mouth, may cause bad breath. Common bad breath culprits are respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia or bronchitis, chronic sinus infections, postnasal drip, diabetes, chronic acid reflux and liver or kidney problems.
What Can I Do to Prevent Bad Breath?
According to Dr. Davis, bad breath can be reduced or prevented by following these five recommendations:
1- Practice good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush your teeth after you eat – even at work or school. Don’t forget to brush your tongue, too. Replace your toothbrush every two to three months. Use floss or an interdental cleaner between your teeth to remove food particles and plaque between your teeth once a day. Dentures should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your mouth the next morning.
2- See your dentist regularly, at least twice a year. Drs. Barnett and Davis will conduct an oral examination and professional teeth cleaning and they will be able detect and treat periodontal disease, dry mouth or other problems that may be the cause of bad mouth odor.
3- Stop smoking/chewing tobacco-based products. Ask Barnett-Davis Dental Group for tips on kicking the habit.
4- Drink lots of water. This will keep your mouth moist. Chewing gum or sucking on candy – preferably sugarless – also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria.
5- Keep a log of the foods you eat. If you think the foods that you eat may be causing your bad breath, record what you eat. Bring the log to your dental checkup for review. Similarly, make a list of the medications you take. Some medications may play a role in creating mouth odors.
Who Treats Bad Breath?
In most cases, we can treat the cause of bad breath, says Dr. Kelly Barnett. If we determine that your mouth is healthy and that the odor is not of oral origin, you may be referred to your family doctor or to a specialist to determine the odor source and treatment plan. Or, if the odor is due to gum disease or another dental issue, we can discuss treatments for those problems.
What Products Can I Use to Eliminate Bad Breath?
There are a number of over-the-counter mouthwashes that claim to eliminate bad breath. However, keep in mind that many of these mouthwashes generally provide only a temporary way to mask unpleasant mouth odor.
Certain products on the market like antiseptic mouth-rinse products are more effective long-term because they kill the germs that cause bad breath instead of simply masking breath odor.
“Don’t be afraid to talk to us about bad breath. Ask us about which product is best for you,” says Dr. Marc Barnett. “We can help you overcome this embarrassing problem.”
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