Everything you need to know about bad breath
Fast facts on bad breath
- Bad breath is estimated to affect 1 in 4 people globally.
- Most common cause of halitosis is bad oral hygiene.
- If food particles are left in the mouth, they breakdown by bacteria and produce sulfur compounds.
- Regular brushing, flossing, and hydration can avoid bad breath.
What is halitosis?
Bad breath is a common problem which can cause significant psychological distress. It’s the third most common reason that people seek dental care after tooth decay and gum disease.
Treatment
The way to treat halitosis is taking preventive measures. You must maintain a regular hygiene routine with brushing and flossing twice daily along with visiting the dentist twice a year. You must also avoid consuming food that has strong flavors such as onion and garlic. Using toothpaste and mouthwash with antibacterial agents can also help.
Causes of Bad Breath
- Tobacco
- Food
- Dry mouth
- Dental hygiene
- Crash diets
- Drugs
- Mouth, nose, and throat conditions
- Foreign body
- Diseases
Rarer causes of bad breath
- Ketoacidosis
- Bowel obstruction
- Bronchiectasis
- Aspiration pneumonia
Symptoms
The specific odor that your mouth has, depends on the reason causing bad breath. If you are confused and concerned about the bad breath, you can see a dentist near Peoria for consultation on bad breath treatment in Peoria, AZ.
Home remedies
- Brush twice a day with a soft brush for at least 2 minutes.
- You must also floss your teeth at least once a day to remove food debris and plaque stuck in between the teeth.
- If you wear dental appliances such as dentures, it is a must to brush and clean dentures with your brush minus paste as it can be abrasive.
- It is important to brush tongue as well since food debris gets stuck on tongue as well. Brushing the tongue is better than using a scrapper.
- You must avoid dry mouth and try to keep it hydrated by consuming water as much as possible.
- Keep a check on your diet by having more of fruits and vegetables instead of food items with strong flavors.