On average we tend to speak with at least 2-3 people per day - and they will smell your breath if your meetings aren't on zoom. However, will they tell you if you have a bad breath? Probably not.
Today we are going to talk about how to prevent bad breath also known in medical terms - Halitosis.
To understand better why this phenomenon occurs - we are going to list some common causes and some preventative measures you could take to help yourself (and others) to understand better.
Main Causes of Bad Breath
Bacteria - produce volatile sulfur compounds (hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide). There are bacteria, especially at the back of our tongue, that can create compounds and then bad breath. Examining a child’s tongue - it's usually pink and wet - that’s what it should look like. As we get older, many factors play their role and our tongues could end up looking whiter with a film/ coat covering them. That is the bacteria that create bad breath.
Periodontal disease - also known as gum disease, is a chronic infection in the gums and jawbone surrounding the teeth. It is proven to be a health risk and leads to dental problems, teeth loss and other potential systemic issues due to the localized plaque, tartar & loads of hidden bacteria under the gums.
Coffee, alcohol & tobacco will increase the bacteria in our mouth and induce dehydration. A dry mouth leads to bad breath.
A high sugar diet - increases the bad bacteria in our mouth, as well as candida overgrowth (yeast syndrome).
GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease) - if you have difficulty digesting your food, you have a strange taste in your mouth and you feel constantly burping, you might need to consult a specialist gastro enterologist. GERD causes bad breath too.
Recurrent sinus infections - could also create an overgrowth of bacteria that would eventually lead to bad breath. Sinus infections happen when fluid builds up in the air-filled pockets in the face.
Medications - such as antihistamines, asthma, antidepressants, acid blockers and so forth, often create bad breath. It could have a side effect of a dry mouth.
Antibiotics - if you are killing bacteria you will often also kill the good bacteria. That creates dysbiosis or an imbalance of the gut flora, which you guess it correctly - creates bad breath.
Preventive measures
Dental check-up is the no. 1 and most important step to exclude serious gum disease, periodontal disease or overgrowth of bacteria. We have experienced specialists that have spent years of studies to now be able to educate us on correct home-care & treatment of any dental problems.
Tongue scrapers - are one of our favorite tools. It is a great way to remove that tongue coat away. Visit our hygienists to advise you on the best suitable tongue scraper for tongue type.
Flossing - we can’t stress enough the importance of doing that 2 times per day. It is the easiest way to prevent bad breath, tooth decay & gum disease.
Proper hydration - the more saliva we have the healthier our mouth is. A dry mouth might often smell bad.
Read more about saliva 10 Fascinating Facts About Saliva - ConfiDent Palm Dentist
Digestive enzymes - consult your doctor if you may need enzyme aid for your digestive process. If you have reflux disease and you can’t break down your food properly, it could lead to bad breath.
Probiotics - take these mircle supplements to replenish your gut flora.
If you’ve been on this path, share your success stories with us and we will add those to our blog.
Schedule an appointment by contacting us at +971 42 4040 21 or tap the WhatsApp button below.
Secondary source educational information gathered by the author.
About ConfiDent ® Palm Dental Clinic.
State-of-the-art restorative and cosmetic dental practice awarded Leading Implant Center in GCC and the Middle East.
Our premium class practice uses sophisticated and precision-engineered German-made technology that helps us to perform all treatments at the highest level.
ConfiDent® Dental Surgery Clinic is located right in the center of the Palm Jumeirah, inside the Golden Mile Galleria Mall, building 8 on the mezzanine floor.
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