Bad Breath, We Can Help.

  Bad breath can be a real passion killer. It is a common problem many people face, and is usually caused by the smelly gases released by bacteria that coat the teeth and tongue. Most of us occasionally suffer from bad breath, but it’s usually short-lived and simply the result of something we’ve eaten, drunk or smoked. But when someone has chronic bad breath ,the sort that’s ever-present and smells quite foul – it quickly becomes a socially isolating and stigmatizing condition. However, treating bad breath is often quite straightforward, and the best place to begin is with a visit to Dr. Charchuk at Chinook Mall Family Dental Clinic.

What causes bad breath?

When a person fails to brush and floss their teeth sufficiently on a daily basis, food particles are more inclined to stay behind in your mouth. This is a catalyst for plaque and bacteria growth between teeth, gums and on the tongue, ultimately releasing sulphur compounds and causing bad breath. The same goes for overpowering foods. Onions and garlic contain pungent oils which are absorbed into the bloodstream and expelled by the lungs.

Here’s the breakdown on what’s causing your bad breath

• Food. The breakdown of food particles in and around your teeth can increase bacteria and cause a foul odor. Eating certain foods, such as onions, garlic and spices, also can cause bad breath. After you digest these foods, they enter your bloodstream, are carried to your lungs and affect your breath.
• Tobacco products. Smoking causes its own unpleasant mouth odor. Smokers and oral tobacco users are also more likely to have gum disease, another source of bad breath.
• Poor dental hygiene. If you don’t brush and floss daily, food particles remain in your mouth, causing bad breath. A colorless, sticky film of bacteria forms on your teeth. If not brushed away, plaque can irritate your gums and eventually form plaque-filled pockets between your teeth and gums. Your tongue also can trap bacteria that produce odors. Dentures that aren’t cleaned regularly or don’t fit properly can harbor odor-causing bacteria and food particles.
• Dry mouth. Saliva helps cleanse your mouth, removing particles that cause bad odors. A condition called dry mouth or xerostomia can contribute to bad breath because production of saliva is decreased. Dry mouth naturally occurs during sleep, leading to “morning breath,” and it worsens if you sleep with your mouth open. Chronic dry mouth can be caused by a problem with your salivary glands and some diseases.
• Medications. Some medications can indirectly produce bad breath by contributing to dry mouth. Others can be broken down in the body to release chemicals that can be carried on your breath.
• Infections in your mouth. Bad breath can be caused by surgical wounds after oral surgery, such as tooth removal, or as a result of tooth decay, gum disease or mouth sores.
• Other mouth, nose and throat conditions. Bad breath can occasionally stem from small stones that form in the tonsils and are covered with bacteria that produce odor. Infections or chronic inflammation in the nose, sinuses or throat, which can contribute to postnasal drip, also can cause bad breath.
• Other causes. Diseases, such as some cancers, and conditions such as metabolic disorders, can cause a distinctive breath odor as a result of chemicals they produce. Chronic reflux of stomach acids can be associated with bad breath. Bad breath in young children can be caused by a foreign body, such as a piece of food, lodged in a nostril.

Curing Your Bad Breath

There is no one-off, quick fix to cure bad breath. Though, there are a few helpful remedies and prevention methods that can fight it.

• Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day with combined flossing to ensure your mouth is getting a sufficient clean. This prevents plaque build up and bacteria growth.
• Be sure to brush your tongue, as it’s a main attraction for bacteria
• Gargle your mouth with a water and salt mixture or an antiseptic, plaque reducing mouthwash which fights oral bacteria.
• Replace your toothbrush every three months. An old toothbrush with worn-out bristles is a breeding ground for bacteria and brushing with one will only transport germs into your mouth.
• Drink lots of water to keep your mouth moist and chew sugar-free gum. This produces more saliva which can help wash away food particles and bacteria.
• Visit your dentist for regular dental assessments. They are trained to detect and treat periodontal disease, excessive dry mouth and other instigators of bad breath.

At Chinook Mall Dental Clinic we want to help you with this embarrassing condition, book an appointment with us and spend a quick ten minutes with Dr. Charchuk while he evaluates and accesses potential causes and solutions for you.