Bad Breath: Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

Bad breath is an awful condition that can cause us to feel self conscious when talking with others. So serious is this condition that it can create social and psychological impediments which affect our relationships. Many sufferers of bad breath are unaware. Others rely on items such as mints and mouthwashes that only assist temporarily.

Thankfully bad breath can in some cases be improved with proper oral hygiene. It is recommended that you visit a dentist in the event that proper oral hygiene does not provide an adequate solution. A dentist can ascertain the cause of your bad breath and advise you on a course of action to end the bad breath. You should comforted by the high rate of success achieved by dentists in managing or eliminating bad breath.

Do I suffer from bad breath?

It is very difficult to tell on your own. Efforts to yield results by cupping your hands over your mouth and smelling your own breath will be ineffective. The most effective method used to determine whether you have bad breath is to ask someone as bad breath becomes apparent when we are talking.

What causes bad breath?

There are several causes of bad breath.

1. Food is the most well known cause of bad breath. Bad breath can be a result of foods containing particular oils such as onions and garlic. Other foods including some vegetables and spices can contribute to bad breath. Another source of bad breath arises when food left in your mouth that is caught between your teeth or stuck to your teeth begins to breakdown.

2. A lack of dental hygiene can be a reason for bad breath. Food particles left within your mouth will emit an odor in the event you do not brush and floss effectively. Plaque will form on your teeth and fill pockets between your teeth affecting your gums. The result will be gum disease and bad breath. It is imperative that proper dental hygiene is maintained.

3. A dry mouth can result in bad breath. This is because dead cells congregating on your tongue, gums and cheeks breakdown and emit an odor. Most people would be familiar with this occurrence as it is the reason for having bad breath when we awake in the morning. Dry mouth can be made worse as a result of smoking, issues with your salivary glands and various medications.

4. Smoking will adversely affect your breath. Smoking dries the mouth resulting in bad breath. Gum disease which causes bad breath is also more prevalent in smokers.

5. Dieting can also be a source of bad breath. The breakdown of body chemicals during dieting can result in bad breath. This bad breath is sometimes described as smelling