Is Bad Breath Trying to Tell You Something?

Bad breath can say a lot, and usually, its message isn’t a good one. To eliminate bad breath and the embarrassment that can go with it, you have to understand what’s causing it and address the problem at its root. For some patients, that might mean simply improving their hygiene practices, while for others, it might require more involved professional treatment.

How Breath Goes Bad

POOR HYGIENE

The most common reason for chronic bad breath is poor hygiene. More specifically, the bacteria that accumulate in your mouth when you don’t brush and floss your teeth well enough. Some these germs, particularly the ones that like to gather on your tongue, release sulfur gases that can overwhelm your mouth and breath.

PERIODONTAL DISEASE

Periodontal disease, as well as tooth decay, tooth and periodontal abscesses, and other oral health conditions, can cause the diseased tissues in your mouth to give off a foul odor. Even if you don’t notice the presence of a dental disease, you should attend a professional examination to determine if poor dental health is the cause of your bad breath.

XEROSTOMIA (CHRONIC DRY MOUTH)

Dry mouth describes the reduction, or complete lack, of saliva production. As your mouth’s natural rinse, the absence of saliva creates a hospitable environment for oral bacteria to grow, increasing your risks of bad breath, periodontal disease, cavities, and uncomfortably dry oral tissues.

SMOKING/SMOKELESS TOBACCO

Tobacco itself can make your breath smell bad, but what it does to your dental health is even worse. The several hundred toxins and carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals) in tobacco and tobacco smoke can disrupt the proper functions of oral tissue cells.

ABOUT YOUR SAN DIEGO PERIODONTIST:

To learn how to keep your teeth and gums healthy for life, subscribe to this blog, and visit Dr. Kania for a consultation. As a board-certified periodontist, Dr. Ann Kania is specially qualified to diagnose and treat issues concerning periodontal tissue and the supportive structures of a patient’s smile, as well as place dental implants to restore teeth lost to dental disease or trauma. To seek Dr. Kania’s expertise, visit our office or contact us today at (760) 642-0711.