You have this friend and he’s really hard to talk to. He’s a nice guy, but every time he opens his mouth you’re tempted to go in the other direction. He’s an awesome person and a great friend, but his breath is unbearable! You may not be friends much longer if he keeps talking to you. Okay! Jokes aside, bad breath or halitosis is a condition many Americans face. It’s caused by a number of reasons and has a number of solutions. So, if you have a friend with bad breath share this article with them! If you’re the friend with bad breath, keep on reading. Here are a few reasons for halitosis.
Your Diet
If you eat foods with strong odors such as garlic or onions, your breath will likely have a similar odor. Here are a few items you may want to skip if you’re going on a date: Garlic, onions, spicy food, and fish. Another thing that may cause halitosis is alcohol and other caffeinated beverages. These beverages can cause dry mouth which encourage the growth of bacteria that normally is killed by saliva. Thankfully, the solution for this is simple. Though brushing and flossing will cover up the odor, the smell will leave completely once the food passes through your body.
Lifestyle
Smoking or chewing Tobacco can leave one with a bad case of halitosis. Smoke particles that are trapped in the mouth and lungs cause bad breath and it leads to a host of problems that amplify it as well. Overtime, smoking may lead to dry mouth and tartar build up, which are contributions to bad breath.
Failing to brush and floss regularly is also a cause of halitosis. Food particles that are in your mouth and in between your teeth promote the growth of bacteria that cause the condition. This can easily be avoided by brushing, flossing, and using mouth wash.
Health Problems
Now if you find that your breath is still a bit strong after changing your diet and improving your lifestyle, your halitosis may be caused by other health issues such as gum disease. Gum disease begins when a film called plaque accumulates on the teeth. Certain strains of bacteria that live in this plaque feed on gum tissue and bone. Your body tries to fight this infection with an inflammatory assault, sending white blood cells to the area to destroy the bacteria. This inflammation causes the tissue to bleed easily when you brush or floss. This stage of the condition is called gingivitis. If the infection and inflammation persist, what results is a chronic inflammatory condition in which the gums and bone around the teeth are slowly destroyed, many times with no awareness or symptoms. At this stage, it is called periodontis. At our Northridge office we treat this using LANAP. If you’re looking for laser periodontal therapy in Northridge click here.
Other causes are poorly fitted dental appliances which cause yeast infections of the mouth and cavities. Certain medications can cause dry mouth and also lead to bad breath.
All in all, there are many reasons to as why someone may have bad breath and each reason has a different solution. You may have to change your diet or change your lifestyle to a healthier one. Whatever the case, your dentist will happily guide you in the right direction so that you may attain better oral health.