While most people have had bad breath at one time or another — often after eating strong-smelling foods like onions and garlic — chronic bad breath, called halitosis, isn’t normal and should be addressed by your dentist. Breath mints, mouthwashes and breath strips mask the odor temporarily, but they do not prevent halitosis. Instead, treat the underlying cause, which can include:입냄새치료
If you have persistent halitosis despite brushing and flossing, chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on candy, drinking lots of water and avoiding alcohol and tobacco, see your dentist for a complete oral examination. Your dentist will smell your breath, examine your teeth, the tissues of your throat and tongue and check for periodontal disease. A bacterial infection in the tonsils or an untreated sinus or bronchitis problem may be the culprit. Other medical conditions that can contribute to unpleasant breath include:
Bad breath treatment may include a dental cleaning and polishing, mouth rinses with antibacterial ingredients or an antibiotic mouthwash. If gum disease is the cause, your dentist will prescribe a special medication to clean the pockets around the teeth and reduce bacteria. In severe cases of halitosis, your dentist may refer you to your family doctor or a specialist.
The odors caused by certain foods, such as onions and garlic, can be prevented by removing the source of the odor or by using a breath freshener after meals. Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on a hard candy, such as a caramel, can stimulate saliva flow to help wash away food particles and odor-causing bacteria. Drinking water and reducing coffee and alcohol consumption can also help.
Dentures that are not cleaned correctly can become a reservoir for bacteria, fungi and remaining food particles that produce odors. Breath odor can also be caused by a bowel obstruction or the buildup of mucus in the lungs and airways, such as in bronchiectasis or a lung infection called pneumonia.
If you think your breath odors are not normal, ask a trusted friend or relative to assess your mouth odor. A person’s own smell is very difficult to gauge, so a close friend or relative is the best choice. If you have chronic bad breath, keep a diary of the foods you eat and any medications you take. It is especially important to keep a log of your diet, since some foods and some medications can affect your breath. You should also bring this information to your dental exam, as your dentist can use it in diagnosing the cause of your halitosis. Make sure to schedule an appointment in the morning to reduce the possibility that you will have eaten a food that causes odor before your exam. You should also avoid wearing perfume, scented lotions or lipsticks to your appointment.해우소한의원