Halitosis commonly known as bad breath, is a condition where there is an unpleasant smell released by the mouth. It is one of the most common oral health conditions that cultivate embarrassment and social phobia as described by a Memphis, TN dentist. It is normal for everyone to suffer from bad breath, but if the condition is persistent or chronic, it might indicate dental or other underlying medical/health issues. The content below discusses the causes and treatment of halitosis.

Causes

The leading cause of bad breath is bad oral hygiene. It is also a leading cause of plaque accumulation that deteriorates oral health. This arises; when the mouth is not cleared of any remaining food materials, the bacteria inside the mouth decompose the remaining food particles, releasing noxious gases. Additionally, the bacteria could multiply and accumulate on teeth, gums, and tongue; hence, the gums could produce sulfur compounds chiefly responsible for causing bad breath.

Bad habits formed in oral hygiene also cause halitosis. When one doesn’t maintain regular brushing of the teeth and seldom flossed, then the bacteria is deposited due to plaque and hence adds to their bad oral odor.

Furthermore, dental problems like tooth cavities, gingivitis, and oral infections cause bad breath. Periodontal disease causes bad breath. When gums are irritated, the associated bacteria penetrate the gingiva and produce harmful toxins that hurt the gums and create an awful odor. Food particles could get stuck in the teeth between the gums; hence, plaque and tartar could also add to the foul breath.

Dryness in the mouth is another leading cause, which is also popularly known as xerostomia among dentists. Saliva assists in rinsing off the food particles that have bacteria in the mouth. Despite that, when saliva is not enough, the source provides the size of bacteria and will hence cause bad breath.

Systemic medical conditions and certain medicines may also cause bad breath. Smoking tobacco and tobacco products cause is another reason for halitosis. Tobacco chemicals remain in the mouth and can cause it to stink. Tobacco also leads to oral cancer and periodontitis, which may in turn cause halitosis.

Treatment

The treatment for halitosis depends on the cause. The most popular way is to have good oral hygiene. Regular brushing of teeth and flossing, cleaning of the tongue using a tongue scraper to remove the bacteria and food in the mouth, regular dental cleaning, and check-ups help solve the problem from the root cause. If the odor persists, it is wise to see a dentist and prevent it from reoccurring.