Bad breath is always bad news. Also known as halitosis, it can affect everything from your self-esteem and the quality of your personal interactions to your professional advancement. The unfortunate truth is that it can be unpleasant to interact with someone suffering halitosis.
While simpler cases of bad breath such as morning breath can be fixed with a little more time brushing, flossing, and rinsing, your Colorado Springs dentist will tell you that halitosis can have more serious causes. It is essential to address these causes to restore your fresh breath and prevent other health risks.
Breathing with your mouth
Conditions like snoring, sleep apnea, and asthma can cause you to get used to breathing through your mouth. This dries out your oral tissues, which in turn prevents saliva from forming. The absence of saliva encourages the presence of bacteria that result to halitosis.
Diet low in carbs
Are you following a diet that revolves around eating more protein and less carbs? You might be worsening your halitosis. For instance, a diet comprised mainly of dairy products or foods high in protein such as meat, eggs, and milk tend to generate lots of amino acids. These acids are a favorite of bad-breath causing bacteria. In addition, the lack of carbohydrates in your body means it has to result to burning fat, which can release awful-smelling ketones.
Medication
A dry mouth is rarely good for your oral health. Yet some medication that you need, such as diuretics and antidepressants, can naturally cause dry mouth. This can foul up your breath because there is little saliva to wash away the bacteria present in your mouth.
Diseases
In addition, your halitosis may be caused by illness you are not aware of. A pungent breath can be a symptom of a serious disease. For example, unpleasant fruity fumes can signal unmanaged diabetes. A fishy smell, on the other hand, can be a sign of kidney failure.
Gum infections
A sick mouth can result to intense bad breath. Oral problems like periodontal disease or gum infections can mitigate your halitosis. This can escalate to more serious conditions if allowed to go unresolved.
It can be impossible to get rid of halitosis on your own, so be sure to consult a dentist in Colorado Springs to determine the best course of action for your halitosis. Depending on the cause of your bad breath, you might be referred to a specialist to further your treatment.
Sources:
8 Surprising Causes of Bad Breath, health.usnews.com
10 Surprising Causes of Bad Breath, healthcentral.com
