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We’ve all dealt with bad breath.
It’s not fun. In fact, it can be rather embarrassing.
Thankfully, most of the time, we can do something to get rid of the smell, like brushing our teeth, staying away from certain foods, popping a breath mint, or chewing some gum.
What, though, if you’re dealing with chronic bad breath? Nothing you do seems to help.
At this point, it’s time to talk to your El Segundo dentist. Together you can find out what’s causing your bad breath and what solutions will work best for your needs.
Most often, bad breath (technically referred to as halitosis) is caused by bacterial build-up. Bacteria live in plaque and as the plaque builds up, so does the number of bacteria in your mouth. This is why brushing after every meal is so important.
However, sometimes you can still have bad breath after brushing.
In some cases, the cause can be as simple as the food you eat. In other cases, chronic bad breath can be a sign of a serious illness. Following are some of the most common causes of chronic halitosis.
Gum disease is caused by not removing bacteria-laden plaque and the resultant tartar. The odor of the bacteria, as well as that of any food debris, can lead to halitosis.
When vegetables rot, they put off a foul odor. Similarly, dental caries causes the teeth to, in essence, rot. If the decay is not removed, it will continue to spread, sometimes to multiple teeth, thereby exacerbating the smell.
You can get a gum, tooth, or soft tissue infection. The causes of the infection are often exposure to some sort of microbe, whether it be a bacterium, virus, or fungi. Each microbe – as well as the rash, abscess, or exudate that accompanies it – can cause bad breath.
Saliva helps protect your oral cavity from bacterial infection. Without it, you’re more susceptible to microbial attack. Saliva also neutralizes the acids produced by bacteria. With slow saliva flow, the acids can cause bad breath and attack the teeth, leading to dental decay.
Post-nasal drip, as well as a sinus infection, can cause halitosis, too. The drainage has a bad odor and as it drains to the back of the throat, it can seem like the odor originates from your mouth.
Poor oral hygiene is a risk factor for oral cancers. And poor dental home care can cause a bacterial coating on the soft tissues (particularly the tongue) that causes bad breath.
But oral malodor can also be intensified when a patient has cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, or stomach. Halitosis can also happen more frequently in cancer patients. Additionally, cancer treatments – including oral medications and radiation – can cause dry mouth and subsequent bad breath.
A microbial infection in the sinuses or mouth can cause malodor, so it stands to reason that it can cause a bad odor to be expelled from the lungs, too.
There are multiple digestive issues that can contribute to bad breath.
GERD is a condition in which stomach acid flows out of the stomach into the esophagus, causing irritation of the esophageal lining and bad breath.
If you have a bowel obstruction, the feces and food you’ve eaten don’t move. Instead, they sit in place and ferment. The gases produced have to go somewhere – and oftentimes, that’s out through the mouth.
Fetor hepaticus is a condition that develops when you have severe liver disease. Since the liver can’t do its job (which is to filter toxins), sulfur substances go into your bloodstream and end up in your lungs. The result: Strong, musty breath.
Diabetes is another condition that can lead to halitosis. Oftentimes, sweet-smelling breath (it’s been likened to nail polish remover) is one of the first indicators that a person has diabetes. In fact, doctors can use infrared breath analyzers to diagnose early diabetes. The analyzer identifies acetone in the breath, a ketone that builds up in the blood of diabetics.
In serious, chronic cases of halitosis, breath mints, gum, and oral sprays are only a temporary fix – if they do anything at all. To treat bad breath permanently, you need to find the root cause of the problem.
When you visit your El Segundo dentist, they’ll perform a thorough oral evaluation and take x-rays. These diagnostic tests will help identify the cause of your bad breath. If they don’t point to a dental issue, your dentist will refer you to your general physician for more tests.
If the problem is dental in nature, what can your dentist do about it? We can treat the issue at hand, whether it is:
In addition to treating these conditions, your dentist will also point to the importance of a regular professional dental cleaning and examination.
Getting your teeth cleaned every six months will remove the plaque and tartar that you’re not able to remove on your own. And regular dental examinations help your dentist keep an eye on your overall oral health, while being able to identify and treat issues early.
In addition to getting a professional dental cleaning, you can take steps at home to reduce bad breath. These include:
If you feel like you’re dealing with more than your fair share of bad breath, it’s time to see your El Segundo dentist for bad breath treatment. Our dental team is compassionate and caring. We want to help you find a solution just as much as you do.
Our goal is to help you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile – and part of that is helping you find ways to keep your breath smelling fresh and pleasant.
Are you struggling with bad breath? Are you concerned the cause might be a serious dental issue? Call us right away. An accurate diagnosis and custom treatment plan can give you some peace of mind!
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