Two students from the NYU College of Dentistry explain, under the supervision of Dr. Analia Veitz-Keenan, the most common causes of Halitosis and how it can be fixed.
Por:
Jessica Yeara.
The most common cause of bad breath is poor dental hygiene.
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A 45-year-old female recently came to the dental clinic complaining of severe bad breath, which has affected her relationship with her boyfriend and her self-confidence. She reports trying various types of mouthwash, which has not helped. She brushes her teeth twice a day and flosses.
Bad breath, also known as Halitosis, is characterized by an unpleasant odor of the mouth. It is estimated to affect 25 percent of people globally. It can be embarrassing and tough to those around you. It is the third most common reason that people seek dental care after tooth decay and gum disease.
Why bad breath?
The most common cause of bad breath is poor dental hygiene. As bacteria break down food particles, they produce sulfur compounds, which translates to mouth odor. But bad breath may also be a result of ineffective dental habits, other ailments, the types of food we eat and unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Which foods and drinks make it worse?
Garlic, onions, spicy foods -- like Indian curry -- contribute to breath odor. Halitosis is caused when food is absorbed into the bloodstream. It is then transferred into the lungs where it's expelled when breathing. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will only disguise the odor temporarily. The odor will remain until the body has eliminated the food. Another cause of bad breath in the oral cavity is due to infrequent eating, such as while dieting. It is best to avoid foods that cause bad breath, but there are some tricks to try when eating these foods, such as adding a splash of lemon or vinegar to fish before eating to help reduce the fishy odor.
Caffeinated drinks and alcoholic beverages can cause dry mouth, which further allow bacteria to survive without saliva. A bottle or a glass of water regularly after meals can remove and alleviate bacteria associated with these beverages.
El ajo, las cebollas
<b> </b>o los picantes como el curry indio contribuyen al olor de la respiración.
Tobacco products cause bad breath because they leave particles in the throat and lungs. When we exhale the stale scent associated with smoker’s breath can linger in the lungs for hours. The best way to eliminate smoker’s breath is to quit.
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We recommend: oral hygiene is essential
Missing one session of brushing and flossing may not be the end of the world, but continuously, it may lead to Halitosis. Brushing and flossing twice a day can remove food particles that are stuck between teeth and gums and routinely using alcohol free mouth wash can help prevent foul smelling breath.
Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of gum or periodontal disease, which are caused by a buildup of plaque on the teeth.
Olvidar un ciclo de cepillado e hilo dental al día puede no ser el fin del mundo pero poco a poco puede provocar halitosis.
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Not attending your regular dental visits may exacerbate these conditions.
Disease such as cancers, and metabolic disorders such as diabetes, can cause distinctive bad breath as a result of the chemicals they produce. Chronic reflux of stomach acids, such as from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), is also associated with bad breath.
So what was causing our patient's bad breath?
She reported drinking one cup of coffee daily. She rinses after drinking. She only drinks water with her food. She doesn't smoke and gets dental checkups regularly, every 6 months. Her teeth are very clean!
After a conversation and medical history update, our patient noticed she had been having persistent heartburn. We encouraged her to seek medical guidance to relieve her heartburn.
To temporarily relieve her bad breath, we suggested sugar-free gum, which masks the smell by inhibiting mouth bacteria. We recommend chewing for at least 5 minutes after every meal to get the full effect of the sweetened sugar-free gum.
She returned to the dental office after 3 weeks, letting us know that her doctor prescribed medications for her GERD. She noticed that her bad breath had improved and was grateful that we had suggested she seek medical attention.
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Bad breath doesn’t have to be a problem. Your dentist can help you!
