Halitosis
BAD BREATH - ORAL HALITOSIS TREATMENT
Ever have the feeling that people have avoided talking to you face to face
or that they have backed away when you began a conversation? If either of
these have happened to you, maybe its not you that is offending, but your
breath.
Halitosis (also known as bad breath) can affect anyone at anytime. It is
estimated that at one time or another between 50% and 60% of the population
suffer from halitosis. The bad news is- it's offensive to most people. The
good news is - now, more than ever, there are ways to prevent it.
What causes bad breath? Most of the time, halitosis originates in the mouth.
It is caused by oral bacteria breaking down stubborn food debris. This
process creates by products called volatile sulfur compounds (VCS's), which
emit a smell similar to rotten eggs. The type of bacteria that initiates
this process needs an environment that is free of oxygen, so they usually
inhabit areas that are difficult to reach, such as the pockets around teeth
and the fissures of the tongue. In some circumstances, the odor may be
caused by a systemic condition such as diabetes, or a problem in the
sinuses, pharynx, lungs, or stomach. factors such as (tobacco, alcohol,
alcohol containing mouth rinses, foods like garlic, onions, and spicy food,
hunger, dry mouth, can cause halitosis, but are secondary to the main
culprit - oral bacteria.
What can be done? If it is clear that bacteria are the culprits, methods to
reduce them are the first line of defense. If periodontal disease or tooth
decay is present, the types of bacteria that cause bad breath increase. Be
sure to ask Dr. Verma for more information & examination. Keeping your mouth
as clean as possible helps eliminate bacteria. In fact, its valuable to
consider this cleaning process as "full - mouth disinfection," focusing on
all areas where bacteria may reside. This "disinfection" includes thorough
brushing, proper use of dental floss, mouth rinse, and cleaning the tongue.
Contact our office today to schedule an appointment
or a consultation.
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