17 Dec Causes of Bad Breath and Remedies

In the majority of cases, bad breath can be linked to what you eat. It is highly likely that at some time or another you may have eaten something such as garlic or onions and it has “stayed on your breath” so to speak. Junk foods and sweet sticky things such as high sugar foods not only affect your overall oral health but they also cause sticky plaques which are a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. These are the number one culprit for bad breath (halitosis) and also an early warning sign of poor oral health. The bad news is that left untreated, some causes of bad breath can lead to other more serious issues so early detection and treatment are very important.

How to combat bad breath caused by food

Although flossing, brushing, and rinsing with mouthwash will help to reduce the odour caused by certain foods, they will not eliminate bad breath completely. It is only once the offending foodstuffs have been digested that the resultant bad breath will completely disappear. By avoiding certain foods that are known to cause the issue in the first place you will be able to limit this often embarrassing problem.

Bad breath and gum disease

One of the main causes of halitosis is periodontal disease or gum disease as it is also known. In fact, bad breath is often one of the early warning signs of this common dental problem along with bleeding of the gums during brushing. Ironically, it is related to the previously discussed issue of bad breath as caused by food because it is a further development of the sticky plaque that results from certain foods and poor oral hygiene.

Dealing with bad breath due to periodontal disease

The plaque build-up that leads to periodontal disease is home to harmful bacteria, toxins, and poisonous substances that irritate and infect the gums. This has the effect of causing them to recede and expose the roots of the teeth which, when left untreated can eventually lead to tooth loss. One of the accompanying symptoms of periodontaldisease is bad breath and so it figures that treatment of the disease rather than merely dealing with the symptom is the route to success. Regular descaling by your dentist along with a strict oral health hygiene regime is the best way to treat periodontal disease at its source.

Other causes of bad breath

There are, of course, other reasons why you may suffer from continued bad breath and many of them are fairly minor and easy to correct. They include such things as yeast infections, untreated dental cavities, and even poorly fitting dentures. Something called xerostomia or “dry mouth” is often caused by insufficient saliva and can also be a cause of bad breath. The root again lies in the build-up of oral bacteria this time due to the absence of saliva needed to wash it away.

Some more serious issues can also be a cause of bad breath including respiratory issues and infections such as bronchitis. Diabetes is also linked with poor oral health and bad breath which can even be an indication of liver or kidney issues. Through listening to your own body, communicating with your medical practitioner and dentist, and following correct oral hygiene, you will be much better able to deal with bad breath.

If you are concerned about bad breath and its underlying causes you should talk to us here at Signal Hill Dental Centre. Contact one of our helpful and friendly team today for all your dental and oral hygiene requirements.