Bad breath, also known as halitosis, occurs worldwide. It refers to the foul odor emanating from the mouth, which may result from certain foods and drinks, poor oral hygiene, diseases, or other factors. Sometimes, halitosis may indicate something more serious like gum disease, tooth decay, or signals to another underlying health issue in the body. Maintain routine dental checkups so that you get early diagnose and treatment for your bad breath problem.
Read more to learn about effective remedies for bad breath.
Bad Breath Symptoms
The most noticeable symptom of bad breath is encountering an unpleasant smell originating from the mouth. Other bad breath symptoms include:
- Bitter or sour taste in the mouth
- Mouth dryness
- A coating on the tongue
Causes of Bad Breath
Some common reasons for halitosis include the following
- Certain strong-smelling foods
- Tobacco products
- Poor oral health
- Health problems
- Dry mouth
- Allergies
- Mouth infections
- Dentures or braces
- Medications
- Pregnancy
Other reasons for bad breath include objects trapped in the nose (occurs mostly with children), alcoholism, and heavy doses of vitamin supplements.
Bad Breath Treatment
Treatment for bad breath may differ, depending on the cause. Here are some ways dentists can cure bad breath permanently.
- Perform professional treatment for gum disease to clear out the build-up of bacteria in pockets between the gums and teeth
- Prescribe artificial saliva treatment for patients with dry mouth (xerostomia) condition
Bad Breath Home Remedies
Home remedies are useful for curing bad breath in people. Here is a helpful guide by the American Dental Association on how to stop bad breath:
- Brush and floss your teeth regularly
- See a dentist regularly
- Ensure that your dentures or braces are correctly fitted and thoroughly cleaned each night
- Quit smoking or chewing tobacco
- Chew sugarless gum and sugar-free candy as a dry mouth remedy
- Drink plenty of water to stimulate the production of saliva
- Eat foods that require a lot of chewing such as apples or carrots
- Use over-the-counter antibacterial mouthwash that can help kill bad breath-causing bacteria
- Address the underlying medical issue for bad breath
- Discuss alternate medication with a health care professional to manage bad breath
Related Article: How Is Bad Breath Linked to Your Wisdom Teeth?
Conclusion
Bad breath can be addressed and prevented with proper oral hygiene. However, bad breath can signal a more complex medical issue that needs to be treated. Talk to your dentist to address the underlying causes.
If you are in Iowa, you can schedule an appointment with one of our Des Moines dentists to cure bad breath problems.
