Anyone who has reached adulthood has likely had at least one embarrassing experience caused by bad breath. Medically known a halitosis, this condition is caused by a number of factors and they all cause stinky odors to be present in the mouth. Understanding halitosis is important so you can avoid the things that make it worse and so you can fight it when flare-ups occur. If you need dental help for treating bad breath that has become problematic then give our team a call- we here at Comfort Care Family Dental have years of experience treating all levels of bad breath cases. In the meantime, here are five little-known facts to help with understanding halitosis.
Streptococcus Salivarius is Good
You may not like thinking about it but there are good and bad bacteria living in your mouth right now- one of the good strains is Streptococcus salivarius. This bacteria is beneficial to your teeth and gums and does not take fouls smelling waste products the way bad bacteria do. It’s an important part of understanding halitosis.
Breath Odor From Food is the Worst
Food is the biggest contributor to temporary flare-ups of bad breath and they are often the foulest smelling and the longest lasting. Foods like garlic and onions are obvious culprits but foods high in sugar can also make flare-ups worse by feeding the bacteria in the mouth, thus leading to more odor being produced.
Smoking Makes Bad Breath Worse
We all know that smoking is bad for us, causes cancer, destroys teeth and gums, and has a host of other health effects. You can add one more to that list- worsening bad breath. Smoking causes dry mouth which makes halitosis worse and it also deposits nicotine and tar which can linger long after you finish a smoke.
Saliva Naturally Fights Bad Breath
Understanding halitosis means understanding what fights it. One of the best ways to keep the healthy bacteria alive is to keep the mouth moist with natural saliva. This also helps keep the healthy bacteria population high, fights bad breath and keeps your teeth and gums healthier and stronger too.
Xerostomia Makes Breath Worse
Xerostomia is the medical term for chronic dry mouth. This is one of several conditions that can cue drying of the mouth. When the mouth stays dry for long periods of time, the bad bacteria flourishes and they can even harden into deposits of plaque along the teeth and gum line that make bad breath worse and harder to treat.
Contact Us Today Before It Gets Worse
Persistent bad breath should not be ignored and overlooked! Understanding halitosis is important to your oral health. It is one of the major warning signs of a serious issue with your overall health and well-being. It could indicate a more serious issue like gum disease, oral cancer, infection, stomach issues, and more. It is important to discuss chronic bad breath with your health care provider! If you need help understanding halitosis and the risks involved with chronic or severe cases of bad breath then call us today and set up your consultation appointment. We can offer superior dental help for treating bad breath and can help you protect the health of your teeth and gums and help protect your overall health as well! Call us today to get started!
Comfort Care Family Dental P.C.
1001 E Chicago Ave #143, Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 369-0111
https://www.comfortcaredentists.com
