Have family members complained about the smell of your breath? Have you noticed that people keep their distance when you speak with them? Does the disagreeable odor emanating from your mouth not go away even with proper oral hygiene?
Everyone experiences the occasional bout of bad-smelling breath — upon waking up, for example, when the bacteria in the mouth have been proliferating all night long. But for most people, it goes away after their morning oral care routine.
Others are not so lucky. Chronic, persistent bad breath (also called halitosis) is not only embarrassing and unpleasant for the sufferer and their loved ones, it can be socially debilitating, causing the person to avoid interactions with other people.
At Accura Dental, we understand the profound effect halitosis has on your self-esteem and daily life — and we will help you get to the root cause and turn it around. To request a consultation at our Colorado Springs, CO office, fill out our online form or call 719-249-2854.
What Is Halitosis?
Halitosis is just another name for bad breath. Not every case has the same sort of smell, and it can stem from any number of underlying causes — thought the vast majority are likely due to a buildup of bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria may proliferate if you have a cavity, gum disease, or another dental issue, or if you don’t do a thorough job cleaning your teeth or dentures. Other possible causes of your bad breath include:
• Throat or sinus infections. Bacteria like to feed on the mucous your body produces.
• Dry Mouth. Saliva is critical to breaking down food, washing away bacteria, and keeping your mouth clean. If your mouth does not produce adequate saliva, bacteria may get out of control and lead to several problems including halitosis.
• Tobacco. Tobacco dries out your mouth and is a leading cause of gum disease ― both risk factors for bad breath. Plus it adds its own distinctive (and decidedly unpleasant) odor.
• Medical Conditions. Some diseases and systemic medical issues — diabetes, reflux, kidney or liver problems — can contribute to bad breath.
Home Remedies for Halitosis
You may be able to banish your bad breath on your own. Here are a few things to try:
• Improve your oral hygiene. Make sure you brush twice every day for two minutes and floss at least once per day. Reach all surfaces of your teeth and every part of the mouth. Use an antiseptic mouthwash. Don’t forget to brush the tongue!
• Stop smoking.
• Cut out alcohol and coffee, which can contribute to dry mouth.
• Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth clean of bacteria between brushings.
• Stimulate saliva flow by chewing sugarless — and the sugarless part is key — gum.
Visit Us For Halitosis Help
If you can’t seem to eliminate your bad breath on your own — or you are due for your next checkup, call our Colorado Springs office to schedule an appointment. We will give your mouth a thorough cleaning at Accura Dental, and we’ll check for any signs of gum disease, cavities, and other possible culprits. Once we pinpoint the problem, we can initiate treatment. Dial 719-249-2854 or request an appointment via our online form.