Bad Breath Treatment

Bad breath treatment starts with a thorough dental exam. Your dentist will ask about your diet, if you smoke or use chewing tobacco, and whether you have any health conditions that may affect your breath. Your dentist will also smell your breath and look for signs of gum disease and other problems.

The mouth is a natural hothouse for bacteria. When you eat, bacteria break down the food particles and leave foul-smelling waste products (volatile sulfur compounds or VSCs) behind. Without regular brushing and flossing, these bacteria build up in the cracks and crevices of the teeth, gums and tongue. The bacteria can also interact with the proteins in the foods you eat to create an unpleasant taste and odor.입냄새제거

Other things that can cause bad breath include certain foods such as garlic and onions, alcohol or cigarettes, poor oral hygiene, sinus or throat infections, indigestion and some health conditions like diabetes, kidney or liver failure, endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus or uremia), or systemic diseases such as liver or renal dysfunctions (causing an ammoniacal odor). Some medicines can have an impact on your breath, for example, some antidepressants can produce a fruity odor in the mouth, while many prescription and over-the-counter medications that treat allergies, colds, flu and sinus infections can lead to postnasal drip which can irritate the back of the tongue.

You can help prevent and reduce bad breath by drinking lots of water, especially in place of drinks such as coffee, tea and soda that dehydrate the mouth. Chewing on crunchy foods such as carrots or apples can stimulate the flow of saliva to help combat odor-producing bacteria. Sucking on sugar-free gum or candies can also help keep the mouth moist. You should also brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day, and visit your dentist for a regular check-up and cleaning.

If your bad breath does not improve with lifestyle changes or oral healthcare, you should see a doctor for further evaluation. Your doctor may be able to diagnose halitosis simply by smelling your breath and asking you some questions about your diet, if you smoke or chew tobacco, how often you brush and floss, any health conditions you have, if you snore, what medicines you take, and when the odor began.

Once you know what is causing the halitosis, it can usually be treated. For example, if the halitosis is caused by a mouth infection or gum disease, treating the condition will usually cure the odor. If the halitosis is caused a respiratory problem, such as sinus or throat infections, clearing those up will usually improve your breath. If your halitosis is caused by the foods you eat, you can avoid those foods and try other healthy options. In most cases, a combination of improved oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist will cure bad breath that originates inside the mouth. However, if the halitosis comes from other sources, such as kidney or liver problems, these must be treated to eliminate the odor.해우소한의원