How Can Your Diet Affect Your Breath?
Basically, digestion begins in your mouth. All the food eaten begins to be broken down by enzymes in your saliva. As foods are digested they are absorbed into your bloodstream. Ultimately they are carried to your lungs where they have an effect on the smell of your breath. If your diet includes foods with strong odors (such as garlic or onions), good brushing and flossing habits along with mouthwash, merely covers up the odor temporarily. The odor is still in your breath and will not go away completely until the foods have passed through your system.
Why Do Poor Habits Cause Bad Breath?
If you fail to brush and floss teeth after meals, food particles can remain lodged in your teeth and gums and can promote bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This bacterial growth can cause bad breath. Antibacterial mouth rinses may help reduce bacteria. In addition, odor-causing bacteria and food particles will cause bad breath if dentures are not cleaned and maintained properly.
If you smoke or chew tobacco products this may also cause bad breath, can stain teeth, and affect your ability to properly taste foods. Tobacco can irritate the gums, as well.
Can Bad Breath Be Caused By Other Health Problems?
Chronic bad breath or even a bad taste in your mouth may be a warning signs of gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. The bacteria cause toxins to form in the mouth, which irritate the gums. If gum disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and the jawbone. Plaque removal is a central part of in office teeth cleaning.
Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances and yeast infections of the mouth.
The medical condition dry mouth (also called xerostomia) can also cause bad breath. Saliva is necessary keep the mouth tissues moist and to cleanse the mouth by neutralizing acids which are produced by plaque. Saliva also serves to wash away dead cells that can accumulate on the tongue, on the gums, and in the cheeks. If these dead cells are not removed, they can decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth is a condition. It can be the result of several root causes. Among these are various medications, salivary gland problems, or chronic breathing through the mouth.
There are many other illnesses and disease that may lead to bad breath. Here are some to be aware of: respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis, postnasal drip, chronic sinus infections. Even diabetes, chronic acid reflux, and liver or kidney problems can all contribute to bad breath.
At Haltom dental we can help you determine the cause of your possible bad breath and suggest remedies.
