MIAMI, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — We have all experienced it, bad breath! Is there an easy fix for freshness or is it a sign of a more serious problem?
Lots of things cause bad breath, but how do … or do you tell someone? Truth is bad breath can be a serious problem.
David Genet, DMD, a periodontist in South Florida, said “The trick with bad breath is actually finding the origin.”
He also said the best way to do that is in the dentist’s chair. “The majority of concerns are of dental or oral origin, meaning they happen right here in the mouth,” Genet said.
Cavities, gum disease, and impacted wisdom teeth that accumulate food and bacteria are the most common culprits.
Genet told Ivanhoe, “That bacteria, when it overgrows, causes bad breath.”
But there are other reasons your breath may not be so sweet, especially if you’re stressed out.
“When we’re stressed, our homeostatic relationships in our bodies are not working as well, therefore we get an overgrowth of bacteria, dry mouth,” Genet explained.
Even some foods you don’t suspect may be causing the problem.
“Like meat and cheese that react with amino acids and bacteria in your mouth,” Genet said.
What’s Dr. Genet’s secret? Sugar free lemon drops. He expressed it was because “The lemon stimulates saliva.”
Another quick fix? According to Dr. Genet, “Rinsing your mouth with water, drinking water and swishing it around in your mouth.” So you can say bye to bad breath.
Dental problems become more frequent as we get older, so Dr. Genet encourages people over the age of 50 to visit their dentist four times a year instead of twice. Check the American Dental Association for more tips on fixing bad breath at www.ada.org.
Contributors to this news report include: Janna Ross, Field Producer; Roque Correa, Editor; Judy Reich, Videographer.
BAD BREATH: CAUSES & SOLUTIONS
REPORT #2402
(Source: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/bad-breath#1 & Dr. David Genet)BACKGROUND: Halitosis, also known as bad breath, is a very common occurrence millions of Americans experience. Bad breath can occur due to poor dental health habits, the types of food you eat, unhealthy lifestyle choices, or they may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath is controllable and it can be treated, but it all depends on what is causing the problem in the first place. The most common cause is the food you eat. Eating foods with strong odors, like onion or garlic, will leave a bad breath in your mouth until the foods have completely passed through the body. A quick fix is brushing, flossing and mouth-washing your teeth. Other foods that can cause it are meat and cheese. They react with amino acids and bacteria in your mouth which can lead to bad breath.
PREVENT BAD BREATH: Here are some factors you should keep in mind when it comes to your mouth’s health:
- Always brush your teeth. Experts recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Also, use floss and antibacterial mouthwash to remove any residue that may be placed between the teeth. Other than your teeth, remember to also clean the tongue.
- Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months or after an illness since they can accumulate bacteria.
- Visit your dentist at least twice a year. Most of the time the cause of bad breath is due to dental reasons like dental cavities and impacted wisdom teeth that accumulate food and bacteria. Your doctor will be able to detect what is causing the problem and will know how to treat it. Furthermore, as people age, it becomes hard to maintain a good oral hygiene so a professional cleaning more often might be necessary. Dr. Genet recommends that people over 50 years old should visit the dentist at least 4 times a year.
- Stop smoking. It may be the primary cause for bad breath and it can lead to other diseases.
- Drink lots of water. A dry mouth can cause bad breath because an overgrowth of bacteria occurs. A dry mouth can be a side effect of medications and even stress. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless candies, like lemon drops, and drinking water stimulate the production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria.
(Source: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/bad-breath#2 & Dr. David Genet)
CLUE FOR HEALTH PROBLEMS: Consistent bad breath may be a sign of periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. This one is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. If left untreated, it can damage the gums and jawbone. Bad breath can also be the result of other health conditions like yeast infections of the mouth; respiratory tract infections like pneumonia or bronchitis; chronic sinus infections, postnatal drips, chronic acid reflux, diabetes, and liver or kidney problems.
(Source: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/bad-breath#1)
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