Halitosis-The War Against Bad Breath

Though few would ever admit it, nearly 50 million Americans experience chronic bad breath. Whether you pop a mint in your mouth, carry mouthwash in your car or give your teeth and tongue a good scrubbing before leaving your house, there’s not much that can be done for chronic bad breath known as Halitosis. Thus, if you’re stuck in the war against bad breath, continue reading below.

To be clear, Halitosis is a real breath condition, and doesn’t mean that a person does not practice good oral health habits. In effect, there are many potential culprits. Some of these include tooth decay or cavities, periodontal gum disease, gastrointestinal disease (acid reflux), specific foods, smoking, alcohol consumption and even kidney or liver disease. Yet, perhaps the greatest and most common contributor to chronic bad breath is dry mouth.

Dry mouth is directly linked to pH levels in the oral cavity. To better understand, consider the following scenario: as a person chews their food, swallows it and begins to digest it, saliva is needed to wash away remaining food debris and bacteria, while balancing the pH levels in the mouth. Therefore, when an individual has dry mouth, there is less saliva and a lower pH level. Most damaging, however, is that acid levels are high, and the mouth becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.

We’ll Help You Overcome Halitosis

Without question, if you realize that your breath is a little less than fresh, it can be embarrassing to share this with your dentist. Yet, keep in mind-it’s not always your fault, and the dentist is your greatest ally to overcoming a breath condition like Halitosis.

At Pure Smiles Dentistry in Marietta, we understand that professional dental cleanings go beyond what can be accomplished at home with a toothbrush and floss. We also realize that regular dental checkups provide a key opportunity for us to detect any threats to your oral health, including those that might cause ongoing bad breath. That’s why we encourage you to call us today. You can rest assured-your time with us is personal and confidential.