How do you know if you have bad breath? The fact is one out of four people have it with some studies reporting that half of the adult population has it. So what causes the bad odor in your mouth? Eating certain foods, health conditions and habits are major causes. In many cases, the problem can be resolved with proper dental hygiene. If you’ve tried improving your dental hygiene through better brushing and flossing and still don’t see improvement, you should consult with your Orange dentist or doctor to rule out a more serious health problem as a cause of your condition.
External Causes: There are external and internal causes. External causes can be the kinds of foods you eat, especially if you eat spicy or smelly foods (such as cooking spices, garlic, onions, and even tuna). If you suspect the odor in your breath is caused by this reason, you may want to make entries in a food log to see if the problem appears when you eat certain foods. Individuals who use alcohol and tobacco can also have bad breath.
Internal Causes: Internal causes are conditions in your mouth that can affect the whole body. Your tongue provides a breeding ground for bacteria to attach and grow. Bacteria that produce odor release a chemical called volatile sulfur compound (VSC’s). The VSC’s that cause odor are hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptain. These odor causing bacteria live in the back area of your tongue. Some Orange dentists specialize in treating bad breath and use special equipment designed to measure the level of VSC’s in your breath.
Other Causes: There are other factors that can cause odors in your mouth including: Dry Mouth from lack of saliva flow. Reduced saliva can be caused by medications or radiation therapy for cancer; Dental issues like poor dental hygiene, gingivitis and gum disease cause odors to develop in your mouth; Poor denture cleaning habits can cause food and plaque to stick to the denture leading to odor formation; Sinus or Throat Infections; Systemic diseases such as diabetes, kidney/liver failure, GI problems, and lung infections or abscesses; and patients who diet regularly.
If you have a bad breath problem that won’t resolve itself with daily dental hygiene, have your Orange dentist determine the cause of the problem. He or she may also prescribe special mouthwashes designed to fight bad VSC’s in your mouth. Meanwhile, you should continue to focus on proper dental hygiene care by brushing with a flouridated toothpaste, flossing or using other aids such as a gum stimulator or interproximal brush cleaner, and cleaning your tongue with a tongue scraper.