Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Bad Breath

If you suffer from severe and persistent bad breath, then it is important to identify the cause to plan appropriate treatment.  The possible causes of bad breath include: smoking or chewing tobacco, eating certain foods such as garlic or strong cheeses, dry  mouth, and, infections.  If you use tobacco, then quit.  Besides a likely cause of bad breath, tobacco use can lead to cancer.  Although foods cause bad breath only temporarily, once eaten they are absorbed into the bloodstream and are expelled by the breath.  Cupping your hand over your mouth and sniffing your breath can give you a sign to lay-off certain foods.  Saliva is nature's mouthwash.  If your mouth is dry, then there is not enough saliva to wash away food particles and bacteria which can cause an unpleasant smell as the bacteria ferments retained food releasing sulfur gases.  Finally, bad breath unresolved by addressing the above causes can be the result of infection either in the mouth or elsewhere in the body.

At Adult Dentistry of Rochester, Dr. Dulski takes a complete health history and performs a thorough examination to determine the best treatment for your bad breath.  Using a breath analyzer that quantifies volatile sulfur compounds, the level of bad breath is measured and recorded.  Typically,  the best way to treat bad breath is good oral care including brushing and flossing twice daily to remove food particles and bacteria.  Routine professional cleanings with the hygienist and examination by the dentist assure that no tooth decay or gum disease is a source of oral infection as a source of bad breath.

Bad breath that seems to have no other cause may indicate an infection elsewhere in the body.  If you have chronic bad breath and Dr. Dulski rules out any oral problems, he will refer you to an Ear, Nose and Throat Physician for an evaluation.  Bad breath can be a sign of a range of conditions including respiratory tract infections, chronic sinus infection or bronchitis, diabetes, or kidney or liver disease.  Since it's important not to ignore the problem of persistent bad breath, contact us by visiting http://www.dulski.com/.

Tags: Bad Breath, Halitosis, Fresh Breath

3 comments:

  1. To help with bad breath it is important to rinse your mouth out with water after every meal if you can't brush your teeth at that time.

    Other things you can do is,brush with baking soda to reduce the acidity in the mouth.Gargle with salt water to reduce bacteria in the mouth.Brush and rinse using hydrogen peroxide but don’t swallow it.

    Let’s face it, bad breath is embarrassing. The good news is that for the most part bad breath can be avoided. Maintaining good oral health is essential to reducing bad breath and seeing your dentist regular to help with your cleaning.

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  2. I had a patient that stated she felt she had bad breath and was very self concious about it. A breath analyzer was used to measure the bad breath. No known dental or gingival origin was founded. Therefore the patient was referred to a Ear,Nose,and Throat Dr. for a consultation.

    Patient was not a smoker, had no known gastric problems,and good oral hygiene and no infections in her mouth.

    Could it be lack of saliva or types of foods she is eating? Hard to say so taking her concern to the next level such as a referral to a specialist is important.

    If you feel you have bad breath seeing your Dentist and Dental Hygienist regularly is important. You want to be sure you are having regular cleanings and check-ups to remove any bacteria and build-up on your teeth to help with a cleaner fresher breath.

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  3. Halitosis, n - exhale of fetid breath.

    The Food You eat Can Affect Your Breath. Odors such as garlic, onions & cabbage are absorbed into the blood stream after digestion. When you exhale, what you've eaten is evident.

    With Eating Comes Digestion. Gasses produced during digestion will be emanated through your mouth during the digestive process. Poor digestion results in constipation, again emanating through your mouth.

    Infrequent Brushing and Flossing results in food, bacteria and plaque decomposing in your mouth.

    Periodontal Disease is directly related to neglected brushing and flossing. A major sign of this is halitosis. Abscessed teeth are also responsible for halitosis.

    Xerostomia (dry mouth) is caused by a decrease in the production of saliva - another venue for bad breath.

    CIGARETTE SMOKING - the effects of smoking on our/your overall health and wellness is frightening. Over 4,000 chemicals have been identified as poisonous! The smoke produced is processed through your lungs and exhaled through your nose and your mouth.

    Ketoacidosis occurs when when there is insufficient glucose in the blood for the body to use as energy. It can occur for those with diabetics, frequent dieters, and those with eating disorders.

    Breath like urine or ammonia may be obvious in those developing kidney failure. Prolonged vomiting can result in breath smelling like feces. Sinusitis and lung infections also cause bad breath.

    If you're getting feed-back that your breath is bad, be thankful since your health may be at stake. Make an appointment & get it checked out.

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