Bad Breath Kills Your Chances of Kissing Under the Mistletoe
Kissing under the mistletoe is a tradition during the holidays, but your chances of sneaking a kiss are slim to none if you have bad breath. Halitosis, or bad breath, can be caused by foods, such as garlic and onions, but continually having halitosis is not the result of odorous foods.
There are many conditions that may cause this problem including improper dental hygiene, dentures or partials that are not cleaned properly, medications, dry mouth, and tobacco. Before you hang the mistletoe, make an appointment with Dr. Angela S. Evanson, DDS to help you have a mistletoe-worthy mouth.
Factors That Can Cause Bad Breath
Garlic and onions, along with other spicy foods can give you halitosis. Ongoing odor is usually not just the result of spicy foods unless you eat the same odorous foods every day.
Poor Oral Hygiene
If you don’t take care of brushing and flossing your teeth daily, food particles cause bad odor. Plaque forms, and If it’s not brushed away, it can eventually lead to gum disease. This applies to dentures and partials as well. If they aren’t cleaned every day, odor-causing bacteria has the chance to form.
Smoking
Smoking causes an unpleasant odor that is likely to contribute to poor oral hygiene and gum disease. If you are a smoker, brush your teeth often and chew sugarless gum to keep your mouth fresh.
Gum Disease or Cavities
Gum disease or cavities do not cause bad breath directly, but they can contribute to it. Maintaining regular dental appointments with Dr. Evanson is important, especially if you think you have a cavity or gum disease.
Medications and Dry Mouth
Medications can contribute to bad by causing dry mouth, or by releasing compound elements that are carried to your mouth and your breath.
Nose and Throat Conditions Can Cause Bad Breath
Inflammation in the nose, sinuses or throat can cause bad breath. Occasionally small stones form in the tonsils that are covered with odor causing bacteria. Infections that cause post nasal drip can also cause bad breath.
Continuous Bad Breath or Halitosis Can be a Symptom of Other Issues
Halitosis isn’t something to disregard. Underlying health problems can cause bad breath such as certain cancers or other conditions or diseases can cause a distinct odor.
Freshen Your Mouth
- Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss your teeth every day to get rid of bacteria that may be causing your bad breath. This applies to removable dentures too. They should be removed every night, cleaned, and soaked overnight to keep them fresh.
- Your tongue could be a culprit in holding onto bacteria and odor. Brush your tongue every day to clean the film that harbors bacteria.
- Antiseptic mouthwash kills bacteria that is missed when you brush and floss. Although this isn’t a permanent solution, it would help to freshen your mouth in the short term.
- Sugarless gum will help to keep your breath fresh. This also just offers fresh breath as a temporary solution.
Bad Breath Can More Than Just Embarrassing
If improved oral hygiene techniques don’t resolve your bad breath problem, consult with Dr. Evanson to make sure you don’t have a serious condition causing the problem. Call 720-409-0008 or contact her online for an appointment.
Those close to you probably concur that your bad breath is off-putting and at the very least is an unpleasant issue to deal with. If you have bad breath, don’t let it kill your chances under the mistletoe! Make an appointment with Dr. Evanson.
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