Bad Breath Can Be Linked to Other Oral Diseases

Every person has experienced bad breath, or Halitosis, at some point in their life. It always seems to appear at the most inconvenient times such as when you are out on a date, or when you have an important business meeting. It is common knowledge that you don’t always have the opportunity to brush your teeth or use mouthwash when you are away from home, so everyone knows that breath mints are the best way to temporarily get rid of their bad breath. As common and uncontrollable as bad breath can be, there are several bad habits which many people participate in which are the leading contributors to their issue which also may cause severe risks to their oral health.

Bad Breath Can Result in Serious Health Issues

It is well known that the use of tobacco products such as cigarettes not only make your breath and clothing smell horrible, they also cause cancer and many other diseases. Smoking and chewing tobacco are bad habits which guarantee that your gums will become inflamed, which means that it will be easier for plaque to build up and cause severe gum diseases.
Every adult deserves to have an alcoholic drink after a hard day of work, but excessive alcohol consumption is bad for your health, and causes bad breath. Alcoholic drinks are filled with sugar which means that your teeth are more vulnerable to decay. Excessive alcohol consumption also stuns your salivary glands, which allows bacteria to build up in your mouth causing bad breath.

Be Sure to Follow a Oral Routine

It is always important to follow a routine of practicing proper oral hygiene by brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing, and using mouthwash as needed. Talk to your dentist about any concerns that you have about bad breath and how to prevent it.

Do Away with Bad Breath the Easy Way

You may look your best and be dressed in the most expensive of clothes, but your presence can be quite undesirable if you emanate bad breath. It certainly is not a nice feeling when people maintain more than an arm’s length while having a personal conversation with you. The reason – bad breath, medically known as halitosis.
Bad breath, or halitosis, can be attributed to various factors. While the main reason is neglect in maintaining oral hygiene, it can also be the after effects of medication or a persistent health problem. Often we floss and brush our teeth in a hurry. The leftover food particles start to decay and forms bacteria in and around the teeth crevices and below the tongue. Over time what follows is bad breath and infections.
Bad breath, if not too severe, can be handled by adopting easy remedies at home:

  • Certain herbs and spices from the kitchen can do the trick of doing away with bad breath. Herbs like fresh mint leaves, cloves, fennel or anise seeds can be chewed to enhance your breath. Also boiling them in water and rinsing your mouth with them after it has cooled can also be of great help.
  • Instead of getting over the counter mouthwash that may contain harmful chemicals, you could make your own with items from your pantry or from a natural products shop. Mix equal quantities of extracts of calendula, sage, and myrrh gum and keep them stored in an airtight container. Rinse your mouth with this mixture and cool and clear water.
  • Be overtly conscious of your diet. Avoid too much alcohol, and strong dairy products like strong cheese, red meet and difficult to digest food products. Avoid indulging in smoking. Too much consumption of these can affect your breath on a prolonged basis and become a permanent addition to your personality.
  • Last but not the least, use a good toothbrush and paste that help to deep clean your dentures. Brush and floss after every major meal, at least three times a day.

Chewing Gum: Good or Bad for Oral Health?

Everyone can relate to enjoying chewing on a stick of gum at some point in their life. It is great for freshening your breath throughout the day, or even helps some people relieve nervousness. Chewing gum has been a common topic of debate between dental professionals for nearly a century. It was once believed to cause health risks which extended beyond affecting oral health, but were eventually disproven. Many people find themselves feeling a bit confused about chewing gum with the different sources of information that are passed around.

Is chewing gum good or bad for oral health?

Chewing sugar-free gum can be very beneficial to your oral health. Everyone will notice that they salivate a lot when they chew gum, which is important to regulating bad bacteria in the mouth. When your mouth is dry, bacteria will feed on the leftover carbohydrates inside your mouth, often causing damage to your teeth and negatively affecting gum tissue. Saliva helps break down sugars inside your mouth and regulate the bacteria which feeds on it.

What to chew:

  • Sugar-free chewing gum.

What to avoid:

  • Chewing gum which has added sugars and artificial flavors: these are the most commonly recognized and generally occupy the majority of the treat shelf in a checkout line at a store.

Talk to your dentist about which types and brands of chewing gum they recommend for you.

About The Author

Dr. Koch

Dr. Robert Koch

Dr. Robert Koch earned a Masters degree in Biomedical Science and Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Midwestern University. Dr. Koch’s patient-first approach to dentistry is rooted in education for both himself and his patients. Staying up to date with the latest advances in dentistry allows him to offer the best treatment plans for his patients. He aims to educate and inform patients in a comforting environment that allows patients to feel confident in the decision-making process of their treatment.