ad breath in Beverly Hills? Sounds like something that could never happen – but almost everyone has halitosis from time to time. Avoiding bad breath depends on finding the cause because most cases are preventable. There are certain medical conditions that may cause bad breath and chronic halitosis that does not improve after following these tips should be reviewed with your physician.
Bad Breath and Food – We all know about the usual culprits like onions, garlic, coffee, and even sulfurous vegetables like cabbage. The bad breath sticks with you even after you have brushed because of the food chemicals absorbed in your bloodstream and the digestive process itself. Avoiding these foods is the only way to solve the problem.
Poor Oral Hygiene – Lots of people are guilty of this one and the decaying food particles that have not been cleaned from the mouth are a feast for your oral bacteria. When you exhale the odor from decomposing food, bacteria and the plaque on your teeth can get pretty nasty. Proper brushing and flossing can take care of this – just ask your hygienist to show you proper techniques for both.
Infection and Oral Disease – Gum disease (see poor oral hygiene above) causes severe bad breath. The same bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities are responsible for bad breath.
Smoking – Even after the breath mint we can all tell that you smoke. There are over 4,000 chemicals in the average cigarette and 200 of those are poisonous. The health effects of smoking are well documented and smoking contributes to gum disease which means even worse breath.
Dry Mouth – Xerostomia, also known as “dry mouth” is a condition that reduces the amount of saliva you produce. Saliva is extremely important for a healthy mouth. It rinses away food particles and helps remineralizer our teeth. Without the cleansing effects of saliva flow the food debris stays in the mouth and is attacked by bacteria causing an unpleasant odor. This condition can be a side effect of certain types of medicines or may be a sign of a more serious condition. Talk to both your dentist and your physician if you are experiencing dry mouth.
Medical Problems – Many medical issues including sinus infections, diabetes and even kidney failure can cause your breath odor to change. If you have good oral hygiene habits, visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings but suddenly develop bad breath you should visit your physician.
Treating bad breath includes proper brushing and flossing. Remember to invest in a tongue scraper and use it regularly. This will remove odor causing bacteria living on the tongue. Regular visits for professional dental cleanings will make sure that oral bacteria that cause bad breath are kept in check.
If you have a meal that is heavy on the onions or garlic you can try to mask the immediate effects by chewing a piece of parsley (naturally cleansing and deodorizing) or a piece of sugarless gum. Your breath will be back to normal in about a day.
Please contact Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist Dr. David Frey today at 310-276-4537 to schedule your dental hygiene appointment. Clean, shiny teeth and fresh breath are just a phone call away.
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