Bad Breath Treatment
Possibly one of the most embarrassing subjects people face is talking about bad breath. Recent studies have shown an estimated 65% percent of Americans have bad breath. Ninety percent of all halitosis (bad breath) is of oral, not systemic, origin.
What causes bad breath?
Bad breath is caused by a variety of factors. In majority of the cases, it is caused by food remaining in the mouth – on the teeth, tongue, gums, and other structures, collecting bacteria. These bacterias expels is sulfur compound creating your breath to have an unpleasant smell. Some foods play a role in bad breath, such as garlic and onions.
However, aside of foods, periodontal disease is one of the main causes for people to suffer from bad breath. If you have a foul taste or smell in your mouth, it may be coming from the gums. Gum disease is caused by plaque which contains thousands of bacterias. Dry mouth or xerostomia is also a cause of bad breath due to decreased salivary flow. Saliva cleans your mouth and removes particles that may cause odor.Tobacco products cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce your ability to taste foods and irritate your gum tissues.
Bad breath may also be a sign that you have a serious health problem, such as a respiratory tract infection, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. Our office specialty is treating the gums so you avoid having bad breath.