Okemos, Lansing and East Lansing Michigan
Otherwise known as chronic bad breath, halitosis is estimated to affect approximately one of every four people in the United States. For people with halitosis, their bad-smelling breath is something they cannot shake—even right after they brush, floss, and use mouthwash. Halitosis also could be a warning sign of a serious problem affecting your oral health. Today on the blog, Okemos’ favorite dentist Dr. Christine Tenaglia takes a look at some of the potential causes and consequences of chronic bad breath.
Learn about the causes of halitosis:
Diet: Every single bite of food you eat gets broken down in your mouth. If you regularly eat foods with strong odors like garlic and onion, then those odors are going to accumulate in your oral microbiome. In these cases, brushing and flossing merely mask the odors, which will not dissipate fully until those foods have been digested and passed through your body.
Poor oral hygiene: We all know the importance of daily brushing and flossing. Failing to follow this regimen means some food particles will be left to linger in your mouth. Over time, these food particles literally rot in the mouth, creating foul-smelling breath. They also encourage the proliferation of more bad-smelling bacteria on and between your teeth, on the gums, and on the tongue.
Tobacco: If you use tobacco in any form this can lead to bad breath. Smoking or using chewing tobacco can lead to halitosis, also creating permanent stains on your teeth and even diminishing your sense of taste.
The Warning Signs of Bad Breath
Does your foul-smelling breath linger even after you brush and floss? Do you always feel as if you have a bad taste in your mouth? These could both be signs of gum disease, a serious condition stemming from a bacterial infection of your gums. The initial stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis, typically involves your gums becoming tender, puffy, red, or bleeding easily when you brush. Left untreated, gum disease does permanent damage to your mouth, eventually leading to tooth loss, the deterioration of your jawbone, and even an elevated risk of heart disease.
Dry mouth stems from diminished saliva production. Your mouth relies on saliva as part of its natural defense mechanism. It keeps your mouth moist, washing away food particles and dead cells that your toothbrush cannot reach, and helps maintain a proper pH balance. If you’re not generating enough saliva, these food particles and dead cells decompose in your mouth, leading to bad breath. To treat your dry mouth in Okemos, Dr. Tenaglia can evaluate your oral health and also see if some other medication you are taking is causing diminished saliva production as a side effect.
Chronic bad breath also may be caused by a dental appliance fitting poorly in your mouth, a yeast or fungal infection inside your mouth, or a cavity.
Treating Bad Breath in Okemos
Whether your halitosis is coming from gum disease, your lifestyle, a medication side effect or some other source, Dr. Christine Tenaglia and the team of oral health professionals at Tenaglia Smiles can help. To schedule an appointment, please call (517) 347-6733 or complete our online contact form today.