What Can I Do About My Bad Breath?
Have you checked your breath lately? Although bad breath can be caused by eating certain foods, such as garlic and onions, continuous bad smells that causes your peers to recoil is not normal. Improper dental hygiene, gum disease, dry mouth, dirty dentures, tobacco, and some medications may be the culprit in this situation. It could also be caused by a cavity or other underlying oral health condition. Dr. Angela S. Evanson, DDS can help you discover what is causing your bad breath and how to treat it.
What Causes Bad Breath?
There are several factors that can cause this condition. Some foods can lead to it, but that is usually not an everyday problem. A perpetual bad smell typically has an underlying cause, such as:
- Dry mouth, certain medications, dentures, or poor dental hygiene can be causing your condition. If better brushing and flossing don’t solve the problem, make an appointment with Dr. Evanson.
- Underlying health conditions can also cause it, so consult with Dr. Evanson to make sure a more serious condition isn’t at the root of your problem.
When Should You See Dr. Evanson About Bad Breath?
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth can lead to tooth decay due to the lack of saliva. Saliva works to keep your mouth lubricated and clean. When you don’t produce enough saliva, your mouth becomes dry. Occasionally medications can cause dry mouth, but salivary gland problems will also cause dry mouth. There are ways to produce more saliva, such as eating foods that require a lot of chewing, like apples, carrots, or celery. Sugar-free candies or sugar-free gum will also increase saliva production and will not add sugar to your diet, which can be damaging to your teeth.
Gum Disease
Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) from poor dental hygiene can cause bad breath. If you have a constant bad taste in your mouth, you may have advanced gum disease caused by plaque, which is a cavity causing bacteria on your teeth and gums.
Medical Conditions
Although bad breath itself is not serious, it can be an indication of a serious illness. Periodontal diseases can lead to heart problems, and kidney or liver failure. All life-threatening illnesses can cause bad smells such as lung infections, diabetes, and gastrointestinal diseases.
How Do You Know When You Have Bad Breath?
Unless someone tells you that you have bad breath, you may not know that it is offensive. Here are some tips on how to check for yourself:
- Lick the back of your hand, let the saliva dry and then smell the saliva.
- Floss your back teeth and smell the floss.
- Scrape your tongue, let the scraper dry, then smell the scraper.
The sniff test is not foolproof, but it will give you a general idea of how your breath smells. If you’re not confident in the self-test, you can also ask a close friend or confidante to confirm your bad-breath concerns.
Bad Breath Can Be a Serious Issue
Bad breath is something you should pay attention to. Perpetual bad breath can be a serious issue that should not be ignored. Often you can improve bad breath with consistent proper dental hygiene every day.
Routine Dental Check-ups Will Keep Tabs on Your Bad Breath
If you’re concerned about bad breath, make an appointment with Dr. Evanson. Regular checkups allow her to detect any problems before they become more serious. Dr. Evanson offers a full spectrum of dentistry for the whole family, no matter what your dental needs are. Now is the time to make an appointment online or call us at (720) 409-0008.
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