Halitosis
Bad breath is an extremely common oral health condition. Bad odors are usually easily noticeable by the person with them or by people in close proximity to them. This can be the source of quite some embarrassment when comments regarding the pungent odor of a person’s mouth are made frequently. Bad breath, or, halitosis, usually stems from poor gum or oral care, tooth injury or tooth decay. It can persist without treatment and, if left untreated, can result in infection and cavities. In this blog post we discuss the causes, symptoms and treatments of halitosis. If you need a consultation for bad breath, contact Campsie Laser Dental today using the contact information in the conclusion.
Causes of Halitosis
There are three primary causes of halitosis (bad breath): poor gum or oral care, tooth injury or tooth decay.
Poor Gum or Oral Healthcare
It’s common knowledge that brushing your teeth frequently is important. If a diligent oral healthcare routine is not acted out by a person, it can lead to poor oral health outcomes, like halitosis. Part of a good oral care plan is brushing regularly. Without regular brushing, acidic or chewable food particles can become stuck in between the teeth, break down and become a host for bacteria which grow in the mouth. The combination of old food particles and bacteria can produce an offensive odor as well as infection and tooth decay.
Tooth Injury
Infection around the teeth, referred to as periodontitis, can quickly become a cause of halitosis. Infected tissues can produce unpleasant odors by nature. These odors can be accentuated by the buildup of food and bacteria in the infected area.
Tooth Decay
In the same way that periodontitis is classified by infection in the area around the teeth, tooth decay refers to infection within the tooth itself. Tooth decay usually stems from poor oral hygiene and can require root canals or extraction to prevent further damage to the mouth. Tooth decay can lead to halitosis.
Halitosis Symptoms
The symptoms of halitosis can include:
- A white coating on the tongue especially at the back of the tongue
- Dry mouth
- Build up around teeth
- Post-nasal drip, or mucous
- Morning bad breath and a burning tongue
- Thick saliva and a constant need to clear your throat
- Constant sour, bitter metallic taste.
Halitosis Treatment
Treating halitosis is a pretty simple task. Brush regularly and use dental floss to ensure teeth are kept squeaky clean from excess food particles and harmful bacteria. Scraping the tongue using equipment available at a chemist can also help to remove bad breath. Furthermore, drinking lots of water can remove bad breath. This is an important step to take as it replenishes the moisture in the mouth, which functions as a cleaning mechanism for oral tissues.
Contact Campsie Laser Dental
Contact our friendly staff if your or your children’s breath smells awful and needs treatment. Campsie Laser Dental is open for business Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 6:00pm. Call today on (02) 9789 6219.