All About Halitosis

Did you know that the fancy way to say bad breath is “halitosis”?  Bad breath often stems from bacteria that lives in your mouth… Gross! Other things that contribute to halitosis are cavities, gum disease, unclean dentures, or tonsil problems.

A few ways to combat bad breath are to brush your teeth after meals and floss daily. Don’t forget to stay on top of your preventive dental visits to be sure any disease activity is eliminated.

Medical Conditions

Other medical issues that could contribute to your bad breath are diabetes, chronic bronchitis, liver disease, or respiratory tract infections. If you suspect any of these as contributing factors, then speak with your doctor.

The Tongue

You might be on top of your oral hygiene game, but still experience constant halitosis… Maybe the next place to look is the tongue. The top of the tongue is covered in a forest of papillae, projections that support taste buds and provide a textured surface to aid tactile sensation. But the velvety surface traps dead cells, food debris, and bacteria. Sulfur gases produced by bacteria contribute to the odiferous mix, and a coating forms across the tongue. When this coating thickens, your taste may also be altered as the odor intensifies.

In addition to brushing and flossing, don’t forget to clean your tongue twice a day too. Scrub it with your toothbrush, or even better, use a tongue cleaner to keep that mouth squeaky clean.

Breath Mints

When trying to prevent bad breath, you may turn to sugared mints or candies, but sugar exposure to the mouth can create an environment where cavities can form and cause bigger issues. If you like using breath mints, try one sweetened with xylitol. This artificial sweetener tastes great and helps to destroy cavity-causing bacteria.

If you have any concerns or questions, Crossley Orthodontics is here to help!