The Good News About Bad Breath Everybody worries about their breath from time to time – like after a meal filled with plenty of onions and garlic. For some people, though, the worry never goes away. They buy mouthwash by the gallon and pop breath mints by the handful, but they still worry that their breath is bad. And they’re still afraid to get close to people – even the ones they love most. If that sounds like you (or someone you care about), there are some things you should know. For starters, you need to understand you’re not alone. In fact, experts estimate a full 25% of Americans experience severe bad breath every single day. Second, you need to know your bad breath isn’t a mystery. Today’s dentists know exactly what’s causing it. Finally, you need to hear the good news that help is on the way – in the form of safe, smart strategies. Researchers have found that in just 10% of cases or less, bad breath is caused by an underlying medical condition like diabetes, reflux, sinusitis, certain kinds of cancer and liver or kidney failure. Dry mouth, which can be caused by certain medications, can cause bad breath as well, because saliva helps keep your mouth clean. In an estimated 90% of cases, though, bad breath originates in your mouth – where it’s easy for us to diagnose and treat. There are two main causes for bad breath, poor dental hygiene when one misses cleaning area in and around the teeth where odors can grow and periodontal (gum) disease. You see, when food or plaque remains on or between teeth it attracts bacteria that produce bad smelling chemicals called Volatile Sulfa Compounds. These compounds include hydrogen sulfide – the chemical that makes rotten eggs smell so awful. What’s more, food and plaque on teeth irritate your gums – leading to the gaps and pockets that are a primary sign of gum disease. These gaps and pockets then collect even more plaque and bacteria. Plus, your tongue (particularly if it has a rough surface) and your tonsils can also trap food and plaque and cause the same kind of problems. Fortunately all these problems are very treatable. Your first step in eliminating bad breath is a thorough exam that includes a medical history, full mouth X-rays, examination of your tongue and tonsils, a gum exam and an oral cancer screening.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Jul 2013 23:12:52 +0000
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