Halitosis or Bad Breath
Let’s face it; we may not be as concerned about protecting our teeth from cavities as we are about warding off bad breath. Of course, it is a major social concern and people do tend to judge your personal hygiene practices by the way your mouth smells during the day. However, sometimes, no matter how hard you brush, and how many times your rinse your oral cavity with a minty mouthwash, your breath still smells unpleasant. There are a number of reasons why this could be:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Food debris lodged between teeth/Buildup of plaque and calculus
- Grossly carious teeth
- Periodontal diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis
- Dry mouth or Xerostomia
- Unhealed or infected extraction sockets
- Dentures or other prosthesis that have not been cleaned properly in a while
- Smoking or tobacco chewing
- Acid reflux diseases
- Infections of the respiratory tract or sinuses
- Certain diseases of the liver and kidney
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, doesn’t always mean you forgot to brush in the morning, and determining the root cause of the problem is the first step towards solving it. If you are absolutely positive that there is no flaw in the way you maintain your oral hygiene at home, you may have to consult your physician for other systemic conditions that may be causing halitosis. However, if oral health is a concern, you must book an appointment with your dentist.
A good oral hygiene regime is comprised of brushing twice daily, especially before bedtime and after meals, regular flossing, limiting the use of tobacco and alcohol, consuming a healthy diet and visiting the dental clinic for routine checkups. With a professional evaluating your oral health every now and then, there is no reason why you would ever have to face dental problems!
The team at Dr George Turner DDS offers professional dental cleaning and oral restorative services to make sure your smile remains healthy, and your breath stays fresh all day long.