Any Las Vegas dentist should be concerned if you have chronic bad breath. If chewing gum or sucking on mint doesn’t take your halitosis away, it’s time to come see us. There could be something else to worry about besides stinky breath.
What is Halitosis?
Halitosis is a form of chronic bad breath. It typically will not go away for very long after brushing or rinsing with a mouthwash. If you suffer from halitosis, contact us. It could be the sign of something more serious, such as:
- Dental health issues that could include cavities or gum disease. These often give you persistent bad breath, which is an early sign that’s something wrong inside your mouth.
- Poor dental hygiene can lead to bad breath, as well as eating an excessive amount of onions or garlic. If you don’t brush away the food that lingers on your teeth after eating, this will cause bad breath. But if brushing your teeth doesn’t make the smell go away, there could be something else going on.
- The Mayo Clinic says infections in your nose, throat, or mouth can cause postnasal drip, which will make your breath smell “sick.”
- Dry mouth can cause bad breath. Dry mouth can be caused by the use of certain medications, tobacco, or even excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption. You may not realize it, but your saliva performs the important bodily function of cleaning your mouth, washing bacteria away. If your spit has dried up, the bacteria in your mouth could cause halitosis. Your Las Vegas dentist could prescribe an oral medication that stimulates saliva production.
- Speaking of tobacco, using nicotine is generally a bad idea for your oral health. In addition to making your breath smell bad, the odors linger on your hands and clothes. Even worse, smoking is terrible for your teeth and gums.
- Brush your tongue once a day with a soft bristled toothbrush. That can remove dead cells, food debris, and bacteria.
- Other medical conditions can also cause persistent bad breath. Some cancers, metabolic diseases, chronic acid-reflux, or even small stones that can form around the tonsils, all can cause halitosis.
While we’re not trying to scare you, it’s important to note that your overall health is reflected in your oral health. That’s why having a twice-a-year checkup is crucial to monitoring for signs of looming illness.
Las Vegas Dentist – Tips for Fighting Bad Breath
Periodic bad breath is a lot different from chronic halitosis. In addition to brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, how can you help keep from having an occasional case of the “stinky breath?”
One way is to drink a lot of water every day. Keeping your mouth washed out will help swish away lingering bacteria. Also, you can chew gum (sugarless, please) and suck on candy (also sugarless!). Keeping a small bottle of mouthwash at work is also a good way to kill morning breath that may linger into the afternoon.
If you’ve followed these steps, but halitosis still plagues you, contact your Las Vegas dentist for a checkup.