Causes of Bad Breath

Muncie Dental Care & Denture Center Blog Causes of Bad Breath

Bad breath is a difficult topic that many people are hesitant to open their mouth about to their most trusted confidante, their dentist. First, bad breath is not life threatening. In fact, it is a good thing! It is the body’s way of letting you know that something is not quite right and requires examination. Bad breath may make us ‘feel’ uncomfortable, but bad breath can be reversed if we understand the causes that bring it to be.

 

Below, your Dentist in Albany IN shares the information on causes of bad breath. 

 

Types of food you eat

If ‘bad breath’ is simply due to the sausage and pepper and onion sandwich you ate for lunch or the dinner of pasta heavily laden with garlic, or the heavily spiced food eaten…a simple brushing, flossing, fluoride anti-bacterial mouth rinse and maybe a breath mint or mint flavored sugarless gum will resolve the issue. 
 

Halitosis

If, however, bad breath is persistent, then it could be a dental issue. Bad breath can be a medical condition called halitosis. Halitosis usually occurs due to poor dental health habits. Halitosis could be a warning sign of gum (periodontal) disease: 
 
- Gum disease simply means that there is a buildup of bacterial plaque on the teeth. This plaque (and tartar) left untreated, brings the formation of bad breath.
 

Tooth Decay 

There is also the ‘simple matter’ of tooth decay and subsequent caries (cavities) that bring about bad breath.
 

Dentures 

Poorly fitting dentures can bring bad breath if foodstuffs are getting caught between denture and gum line.
 

Dry Mouth 

A condition called Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is another dental issue that brings the unpleasantness of bad breath. When saliva is not present, dry mouth results in germs decomposing in the mouth which results in bad breath. 
 
Don’t be afraid to open wide to your trusted and understanding Dentist in Albany IN who can help. 

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