Don't Ignore Bad Breath
Anyone can be affected by bad breath (also called "halitosis"). It's estimated that at any given time, about 50 percent of the population has bad breath. Cupping your hands over your mouth and sniffing the air that you breath out won't <
/em>tell you if your breath is bad. The offending odor comes from the back of your mouth, and is only forced out when you speak.
Luckily, halitosis can be prevented. But first, let's talbout where it come from.
Bad breath can be caused by tooth decay, gum disease, dry mouth (xerostomia), tobacco, certain foods, medications or illness. If you think you have bad breath, please schedule an appointment with us so we can rull out tooth decay, periodontal (gum) di
sease, or a medical condition that shoud be treated by a physician.
Halitosis typically begins in your mouth, as bacteria work to break down food debris. The responsible bacteria are the sort that require an oxygen-free environment to survive, so they're usually found between your teeth and within the grooves of your
tongue. This decay process releases volatile sulfur compounds (VSC's), the substance that's responsible for malodor in your mouth.
- Pull your tongue forward using the thumb and index finger of one hand. Use your other hand to wipe the back of your tongue for about 15 seconds with a clean cotton ball. Wait a few minutes, then sniff the cotton ball; if it smells bad, this could
mean you have bad breath.
- Clean between a few of your back teeth with a piece of unflavored dental floss. Again, wait a few minutes, then sniff the floss. It's likely that this is what your breath smells like. Do you frequently have a bad taste in your mouth? This is anot
her sign of halitosis.
- Ask for a truthful answer from a trusted friend or family member. Yes, this can be embarrassing, but if you do have persistent bad breath, it's definitely better to know about it so you can do something to solve the problem!
None of these tests are foolproof. To find out definitively if your breath has an offensive odor, you'll need to see us for an exam, where we will assess the health of your gums and test your saliva levels. We may even measure the level of (VSC's) in
your mouth with a device called a "halimeter." Once we've determinded the source of your breath problem, we can recommend specific products and techniquues to help you freshen your breath (and prevent embarrassment).
Not sure if you're suffering from halitosis? Here are some self-tests that may help you find out:
