Bad breath often causes discomfort and lack of self-confidence for our patients. But luckily, there are numerous dental treatments and medications available to get rid of this common problem. Let us discuss some of them in our article.
Everyday Causes of Oral Malodour
Bad breath can be the result of several everyday factors. Insufficient oral hygiene, consumption of specific kinds of food, or even unsatisfactory fluid intake can lead to oral malodour. By changing these habits, bad breath can be treated and made disappear. There are, however, some problems that need to be solved by a dentist in order to eliminate halitosis.
One of these problems is tartar, which is basically hardened-up plaque that has not been removed from the teeth. It forms on the gum line and, with time, causes cavities and gum diseases. These two are among the fundamental causes of bad breath. Therefore, tartar has to be cleared away by a dentist with special tools, to prevent the harm it can cause if it stays on the teeth for a long time. Washing your teeth regularly and using antiseptic mouthwash should prevent this problem from reoccurring.
If, due to tartar build-up or unsatisfactory oral hygiene, your teeth have started to decay, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible. They fill the cavities in order to avoid bacterial infections that cause bad breath. Similarly, gum diseases have to be treated immediately with antiseptic medicine, oral antibiotics or even oral surgery. It is needed not only because of the oral malodour they cause, but also to prevent the serious damage they can do to the teeth, some even resulting in tooth-loss.
Getting Rid of Oral Malodour – The Serious Causes
In some cases, oral malodour is the result of severe diseases not connected to the mouth. If someone experiences unpleasant, acetone-like breath, they should try and drink more water first, namely, this kind of bad breath can be the sign of dehydration. If that does not solve the problem, the principal cause might be diabetes, the main symptom of which is acetone-like breath. A simple blood test reveals if that is the case, and sufficient treatment can follow.
Rhinosinusitis, an inflammation of the nasal passages and the sinuses also causes oral malodour. The acute form of the disease is mostly the result of a simple cold or respiratory infection, which, after proper medication should heal, making bad breath disappear. The chronic form, however, can be caused by asthma, allergy or even fungal infection. Therefore, thorough examination is needed to get to the root of the problem, treating it with antibiotics, antifungal, allergy or asthma medicine, and consequently, getting rid of bad breath.