Darren Gardner DDS- Provo Dentist
Bad Breath
80% of all bad breathe originates from overgrowth of bad bacteria in the mouth. Some of the most common causes of bad breath are:
• plaque (a layer of bad bacteria that clings to the teeth)
• bacterial growth on the tongue
• food debris and plaque left between the teeth and under the gums
• decay
• periodontal disease
• dry mouth (xerostomia)
To control bad breathe, this bad bacteria must be eliminated through:
• brushing 2-3 times daily. (Brush your tongue too.)
• flossing nightly
• scraping your tongue (as far back as possible) with a tongue scraper each morning
• gargling with hydrogen peroxide after scraping your tongue (use 3% hydrogen peroxide diluted with 50% water and rinse out with Crest Pro-Health mouthwash to minimize the bad taste. An alternative is to use Peridex, which is available by prescription only.)
• having decay removed and restorations placed
• controlling periodontal disease through periodontal treatment
Dry mouth (xerostomia) is a common condition that encourages overgrowth of bad bacteria. It can be caused by medications, fasting, or sleeping with your mouth open (morning breath.) Drinking plenty of water can help. If the dry mouth is caused by medication, using Biotene mouthwashes can help minimize the dry mouth and its effects. Xylitol gum and mints are also helpful in stimulating salivary ducts to produce more saliva.
Certain foods can also cause bad breathe and should be avoided. These include: herbs, spices, certain cold cuts, curries, onions, garlic, radishes, turnips and leeks, tea, coffee, and alcohol.
If your home care is good and you are still having problems with bad breath, you should see a dentist to check for periodontal disease, infection, or decay.
A small percentage of bad breathe is caused by other conditions. These include:
• post nasal drip
• sinusitis
• sinus infections
• common cold, flu, or allergies
• tonsillitis
• tonsilloliths
• lung conditions such as bronchitis, pulmonary abscess, tuberculosis, pneumonia, emphysema, and lung cancer
• chronic vomiting
If the bad breath persists after following our recommendations, you may need to consult a physician to treat one of the above conditions to resolve your bad breath.
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