Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath. Bad breath is usually caused by poor dental hygiene or is a sign of other health problems. Unhealthy lifestyles habits and your daily diet are also significant factors in bad breath. As foods are digested and absorbed into the bloodstream, they also reach to your lungs and are given off in your breath. There will be odor in your breath if the foods haven’t passed through the body.
Causes of Bad Breath
Regular brushing and flossing are important to prevent bad health conditions. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, then the remains of food particles will stay in your mouth, causing bacterial growth around gums. These bacteria will cause bad breath, but some antibacterial mouth rinses can help to reduce bad breath. Some other causes of bad breath are given below:
- Bacterial growth between teeth and around the gums
- Poor dental hygiene
- Smoking and chewing tobacco products
Health Problems Associated with Bad Breath
Persistent bad breath and poor dental hygiene can result in gum damage in the long run. Plaque buildup on your teeth may cause gum damage. The toxins from the resulting bacteria will irritate the gum, and, if the gum is left untreated, it can also damage the jawbone.
- Respiratory illnesses, like pneumonia and bronchitis, can lead to bad breath.
- Poorly fitting dental appliances are another dental cause of bad breath.
- Bad breath can lead to a yeast infection in your mouth.
- The jawbone can also be affected if bad breath is not treated.
- Infection in the whole gum can occur.
- Respiratory tract infections can cause bad breath.
Treating Bad Breath
Regular brushing and flossing are very important to prevent bad breath. Also, scrub your tongue regularly, as it is a likely place for bacterial growth. If you still have bad breath after regular brushing and flossing, then it is time to consult with a doctor. You may have developed gum disease. Gum disease, left untreated, can advance to periodontal diseases. If you develop a periodontal disease, you will need more aggressive treatments.
A medical condition can also lead to bad breath, and sometimes bad breath due to medical conditions is unavoidable. Your physician will prescribe medicines to treat the condition causing your bad breath, and these other treatments can cure this problem.
- Regular brushing and flossing
- Scrubbing your tongue
- Proper dental hygiene
- Proper medication if needed
Eating herbs like rosemary and drinking black tea