The Most Common Causes of Bad Breath
One of the top complaints of patients at dental visits is bad breath. In commercials, people are always solving this problem by popping a piece of mint gum – but this only masks the smell.
Unfortunately, bad breath is often a symptom of a larger problem, and chewing gum isn’t going to solve the issue over the long haul. There are many reasons for bad breath; here are a few.
The Main Causes of Bad Breath
Gum Disease
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 47.2 percent of adults in the U.S. have some type of periodontal disease.
Gum disease occurs when plaque and tartar build up in the mouth and the enamel starts deteriorating. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can be easily treated by making a few changes to your oral hygiene routine. But once gingivitis turns into periodontal disease, it’s irreversible.
Victims of periodontal disease face tooth loss because both their gums and jawbones are affected. For periodontal disease to be treated, you need dentures. Taking care of your dentures can get rid of bad breath to some extent, but addressing the other problems related to your oral hygiene can help keep the foul smell at bay.
Smoking
Everybody knows that smoking is hazardous to your health. But it doesn’t just affect your lungs – it also affects your teeth and oral hygiene. By weakening your enamel, it makes your teeth vulnerable to bacteria and plaque.
It also reduces your saliva production, drying out the mouth. Saliva actually helps clean your teeth and prevent plaque and tartar from harming your pearly whites.
Preventing Bad Breath
By brushing and using mouthwash, you can keep bacteria at bay. However, regular visits to your dentist are still necessary to prevent plaque and tartar from forming because your toothbrush doesn’t reach hard-to-brush areas and a dentist has the right tools to clean your teeth thoroughly.
A dentist can also provide you with useful tips for preventing bad breath and recommend specific toothbrushes and toothpastes to help you take care of your specific oral health issues.
If you have dentures, however, your regular oral hygiene routine will not work to banish bad breath and you need to make sure you are cleaning both your dentures and your mouth effectively. If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable denturist that can help you take care of both your mouth and your dentures, schedule a free consultation at European Denture Center and see how we can help!