Causes and treatment of bad breath
Tags: Dentistry, Health

Causes and treatment of bad breath

Halitosis, or in common parlance also called halitosis is an unpleasant smelling breath that occurs primarily in the oral cavity. The most common cause is bacterial tongue coating. The metabolic products of certain bacteria give off the unpleasant smell. Scientific studies show that similar halitosis often occurs in almost all countries of the world.Eating habits are therefore probably not a decisive cause. About 25 of every 100 people suffer from at certain times under socially unacceptable bad breath. Older people are more frequently affected than younger. Of 100 individuals with halitosis affects approximately 6 persons from chronic halitosis. Important! Every fourth person is occasionally affected by halitosis.

What causes halitosis?

Almost always (in 90 of 100 cases) is the cause of halitosis in the oral cavity and although mostly on the tongue. Contrary to common assumptions are diseases in ear, nose and throat area with less than one in ten cases responsible for bad breath, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract even rarer.

The bacteria that cause bad breath, do not need oxygen to live. In the niches of the oral cavity and especially in the numerous depressions (crypts) of the rough tongue you can find ideal living conditions. There they decompose proteins from the saliva or food particles and other organic material. Here, the volatile sulfur compounds that cause the unpleasant smell arising.

What are the risk factors for halitosis are there?

A risk factor for halitosis is the bacterial density in the mouth: people with halitosis have up to 25 times more bacteria in the mouth than people without halitosis. However, poor oral hygiene is a risk factor. By bacterial plaque inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and the gums caused (periodontitis). If the inflammation is not treated, are gum pockets form, an ideal habitat for the odor-causing bacteria. A direct correlation between the number of diseased gum pockets and the strength of halitosis has been confirmed in several scientific studies.

Smears for bacteria and therefore also a risk factor for halitosis are advanced caries, defective fillings, crowns and bridges or dentures unkempt. Risk factors for bad breath are all factors that can lead to dry mouth. Saliva plays an essential role in maintaining the health of the oral cavity.

A moist mouth tends much less to the formation of bad breath as a dry, because food residues, bacteria and odor-forming substances are partially removed by rinsing function of saliva. With age, the function of the salivary glands decreases and dry mouth is the result.

Thus, the age is a risk factor for halitosis as well as other conditions that can cause dry mouth: mouth breathing, smoking, stress, alcohol consumption, certain medications or an insufficient fluid intake.

Bad breath can also result from a yet undiagnosed systemic disease. Even so it is important to let clarify the cause of halitosis. First point of contact for this are your dentist or your dentist.Drag this necessarily help. You will realize what risk factors are present with you. So you can breath and other oral disease prevention in time.

Important! Uncontrolled growth of bacteria and dry mouth are important risk factors for the development of halitosis.

How can I tell if I suffer from bad breath?

Because our nose quickly adjusts to your own smells, we can not perceive our own bad breath. So you might ask other people. Reliable information will also your dentist or your dentist give. In the dentist’s office is also checked, where the causes are and what you can do about it. In nine cases out of ten you will be able to help you directly. Sometimes you will be transferred to other disciplines in order to clarify further possible causes.

Important! As almost always bacteria in the oral cavity, the cause of halitosis, the dentist is your first contact.

How can I protect myself from bad breath?

The best protection against halitosis is tackling the causes, so the removal of odor-causing bacteria. Bacterial plaque on the tongue can be removed with the tongue cleaner, deposits on the teeth with toothbrush and dental floss or interdental brushes.

Toothpastes and mouthwashes with antibacterial properties help the cleaning. With special active ingredients (eg, zinc compounds) You can also neutralize odor-active substances. For daily oral hygiene therefore includes the regular use of:

Toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to remove bacterial plaque Dental floss or interdental brushes to clean between the teeth Tongue cleaner for removing odor-active bacteria from the tongue

Important! The tongue cleaning is crucial for protection against bad breath and therefore belongs to the daily oral hygiene.

How is bad breath treated?

Your dentist will ask you to first fill out a questionnaire, which gives him important information for subsequent treatment. In the first place then the investigation is in your breath to determine if halitosis is present and in what strength. The best instrument for halitosis is the human nose. The dentist will therefore examine at various distances to mouth, if bad breath is perceptible.

There are also special instruments for the measurement of halitosis that does not by default but are present in all practices.

To identify the cause of any existing bad breath, the dentist will then choose your mouth. So he can make the points locate have on which odor-causing bacteria accumulated. Especially accurately it will examine the tongue and gums. He can ensure that no gingivitis or periodontitis are the cause of bad breath By careful examination of the gums.

Treating halitosis attaches to the cause, the odor-causing bacteria. These are removed. Is bacterial tongue coating available, you will show how you can remove using a tongue cleaner for daily oral hygiene your dentist. Play bacterial plaque is an important role, possibly carried out a professional tooth cleaning. This is particularly the case when a gingivitis or periodontal disease was found. In this case, you also explain how you can remove the bacterial plaque in the future in their daily oral hygiene even better your dentist.

After the first treatment, your dentist is a successor appointment with you. So it can monitor the success of treatment and give you further advice if necessary.

Only in the rare cases where the cause can not be found in the mouth, your dentist will refer you to an appropriate specialist.

Important! The aim of the treatment of bad breath is the reliable removal of odor-causing bacteria in the mouth. For the success of your employees is crucial.

Usually one takes his own bad breath is not true. Others may feel very disturbed by the fact, however. This can lead to considerable difficulties in interpersonal dealings. Before that, many people fear. Therefore, they experience it as unpleasant indeed if they are addressed to halitosis, but are also grateful when they learn of their problem and can do something about it.Therefore Talk Affected friendly and discreet in private on the issue of. Explain simultaneously, where they can get help. You might want to also pass this brochure.

Important! Talk Affected friendly and discreet in private on the issue and inform them of the auxiliary options that have been mentioned here.

Originally published at makehealthylife.com on December 30, 2015.