One of the most embarrassing situations one can experience is being told that their breath stinks! Unfortunately, this problem is quite prevalent. According to an estimate, 1 in every 2 US adults has bad breath 1. To further complicate matters, people with bad breath are not even aware of this issue until they are told about it.
But don’t worry; the good news is that bad breath is treatable. How? Read this article and learn how to get rid of bad breath.
What Causes Bad Breath in Gramercy Park, NY Dentistry?
Bad breath, scientifically known as halitosis, can be caused due to various reasons. According to the American Dental Association 2, the following things can make your breath smell bad:
- Poor Oral Hygiene – when one ignores regular brushing and flossing, a thin layer of food debris forms over the teeth, called dental plaque. This layer gradually hardens and becomes dental calculus. Unfortunately, plaque and calculus are excellent breeding places for different oral bacteria. These bacteria utilize the sugars in plaque and tartar and release by-products that make one’s breath smell foul.
- Dry Mouth – in this condition, the body does not produce enough saliva in the oral cavity. A dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can occur due to various reasons, such as diabetes, medications, and salivary gland diseases. One of the problems associated with dry mouth is bad breath. This happens because there is insufficient saliva available to clean all tooth surfaces and remove plaque deposits.
- Gum Disease – long-term halitosis can also be caused due to underlying gum disease.
- Dietary Habits – what we eat affects our physical health and what we exhale. So, if we eat strong-smelled foods, it can make our breath smell foul. Certain foods, such as garlic or onion-containing foods, can cause bad breath. Similarly, alcoholic drinks are also known to make one’s breath smell bad.
- Smoking and Tobacco – did you know that smoking and tobacco products are not just harmful to your physical health and well-being? Do they also affect your oral health? Tobacco products reduce one’s ability to taste by damaging the taste buds and increasing the risk of gum disease. That is why, smokers are at more risk of having bad breath.
- Medical Conditions – Certain conditions can also cause bad breath, such as diabetes, sinus problems, and liver or kidney disease. Furthermore, gastric reflux, a situation where gastric acid refluxes upwards toward the food pipe, can also cause halitosis.
- Medications – certain medications can also affect salivary production.
- Salivary Stones – sometimes, salivary stones can block the salivary flow, causing bad breath.
Bad Breath: What is the Solution in Gramercy Park, NY Dentistry?
The management of bad breath depends on the underlying cause. First, we will perform a detailed clinical examination to determine the cause of the issue. In most cases, the cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene or gum disease. In these cases, we will perform professional teeth cleaning to remove the plaque and tartar deposits to fix the issue. In more complex cases, deep teeth cleaning, along with antibiotic medication, may be needed.
If the underlying cause of halitosis is not dental, we will look for non-dental reasons. For example, if our patient is a smoker, we will advise them to reduce this habit. Similarly, if the cause is due to eating strong-smelling foods, limiting their intake will fix the problem.
In rare cases, when the cause of bad breath is an underlying medical condition, we will refer them to their healthcare professionals for further treatment. Similarly, a change in medication may also fix the problem of bad breath. In other cases, therapy for gastric acid reflux can resolve the issue of bad breath is some people.
In short, treating bad breath depends on diagnosing and treating the cause.
How to Prevent Bad Breaths?
The good news is that bad breath – and the embarrassment that comes with it – can be prevented. Here are some tips that can help you enjoy a minty fresh breath throughout life:
- Oral Hygiene Maintenance – there is no substitute for regular oral hygiene care. If you floss and brush daily, you are reducing more than 80% of your chances of having bad breath!
- Keep the Saliva Flowing – did you know that by eating foods that require lots of chewing, such as carrots and apples, you are exercising your salivary glands to produce more saliva? So, more saliva means more teeth cleaning and no bad breath! You can also eat sugar-free gum to achieve the same results.
- Quit Smoking – smoking is one of the most common causes of halitosis. cut down on your smoking, and you can enjoy a fresh breath!
- Eat a Healthy Diet – eating a fiber-rich diet containg green vegetables and fibrous fruits helps keep the teeth clean and preevnts bad breath.
- Visit your Dentist Regularly – regular dental visits go a long way in the early identification of dental health issues, including bad breath. When you visit your dentist regularly, they can spot oral-health-related problems and fix them before they cause permanent damage.
Whatever the underlying cause, bad breath indicates a problem with one’s oral or physical health. Therefore, it should never be taken lightly. If you are looking for a good dentist in New York, Dr. Toksoy’s | Studio Dental NY is the best place to go. At Dr. Toksoy’s | Studio Dental NY, we focus on preventing dental problems before they get bigger. We also have highly experienced oral health specialists who are trained to treat even the most complex dental issues, including halitosis. So, what are you waiting for? Book an appointment today. A healthy, lasting, and beautiful smile awaits you!
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