Do people stand far away from you or take a step backward when you talk to them? Do you constantly have a bad taste in your mouth? You may suffer from halitosis – the condition of having bad breath.
Common Causes of Bad Breath
Halitosis is the third most common reason people seek dental care, next to tooth decay and gum disease. Many factors contribute to halitosis:
- Eating certain foods- cheese, fish, garlic, meat, and onions, to name a few
- Dry mouth- This clinical condition, xerostomia, can be caused by a number of factors. A dry mouth doesn’t have sufficient saliva, and saliva helps wash away oral bacteria.
- Gum disease- Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gum tissue. Bacteria produce sulfur compounds that smell bad. The tongue- Bacteria flourish on the surface of the tongue because they consume dead cells, food deposits, and other bacteria
- Sinus problems, colds, flus- Mucous in your throat and mouth provide food for bacteria and can smell pretty bad.
- Tonsils- Calcified matter can attach itself to your tonsils, in the back of your throat, and produce an unpleasant odor.
- Tooth decay- Cavities are formed when bacteria eat away tooth structure – and the resulting odor is not pleasant.
- Unclean dentures- If you don’t regularly clean your dentures, bacteria can adhere to the surface and create a distasteful scent.
These are certainly not the only causes of bad breath, but as you can see, bacteria are a primary cause of halitosis. Oral bacteria are prolific. When you brush, floss, and use antibacterial mouthwash, you will control oral bacteria and, thus, reduce your potential for bad breath. If your bad breath is relentless, schedule an appointment with Dr. Brad Greenfield so that he can identify the cause of your bad breath and suggest treatment. For More Information on Bad Breath Tired of feeling embarrassed about your breath? Schedule your appointment with Dr. Brad Greenfield at Lake Orion Family Dentistry today. We are located in Lake Orion, Michigan and serve families from Lake Orion, Oxford, Oakland Charter Township, Independence Charter Township, Orion Charter Township, and surrounding communities. You can also contact us through our website at www.lkorionfamdent.com.
