Bad Breath Treatment - Canandaigua, NY

Chronic Bad Breath?

Throughout time, people have been aware of halitosis, or smelly bad breath. In fact, halitosis is mentioned in the Jewish Talmud. This condition is also discussed by Ancient Roman and Greek writers.

Some even say the prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam, had one of the congregants expelled from a mosque for having breath that smelled like garlic.

Because bad breath is an issue for many, people are always searching for a cure-all for their personal bad odor. In Brazil, people chew on cinnamon. In Italy, people chew parsley. In Thailand, foul smells are eliminated with guava peel leaves, which have a refreshing taste. In Iraq they use cloves and in Eastern Asia, aniseed is commonly used.

What Causes Halitosis?

When you exhale, a volatile sulfur is released into the atmosphere, it’s during this process that halitosis is created. The compounds released contain sulfur, methyl marcaptan, and hydrogen sulfide.

Mints and gums, don’t do anything more than mask this offensive odor. They are only a temporary solution. If you want to get rid of bad breath, you have to begin by finding the cause.

Food stuck between the teeth are a common cause of bad breath. Any food that remains in your mouth between brushing, caught between your teeth, will start rotting. This rotting food will release an offensive odor when you exhale. That’s why proper oral hygiene is important, including brushing and flossing.

Your dentist is the only person who can determine if your halitosis is caused by bad oral hygiene or if it’s a more serious condition. Halitosis can be caused by a wide array of medical conditions and from a person’s habits.

Typically, certain foods can leave an unpleasant odor after being consumed. Dairy, cheese, onions, and garlic are the usual culprits. Offensive gases are released by these foods during the digestion process. The gases may be released for as many as 24 hours after you consume these foods.

Undigested food left in the stomach may also cause a distasteful odor. This is a common issue in the senior population. As people age, their bodies have more difficulties breaking down their food.

There are also several medical conditions that may cause bad breath, although these are rarer. Kidney problems, diabetes, and sinusitis can cause seriously bad breath. Some people experience breath that smells like sweet fruit (Diabetic ketoacidosis), ammonia or fish (severe kidney failure), or rotting eggs.

You also can’t discount other atypical causes of bad breath. You may experience bad breath if you take large doses of vitamins or other supplements. There are also lifestyle choices that may cause halitosis. Drinking and smoking can lead to xerostomia or dry mouth syndrome. A lack of saliva can cause bad breath.

There are also other conditions that may lead to bad breath, which may cause a person discomfort in social situations. Some of these conditions can only be diagnosed by a dentist, including gingivitis, impacted teeth, dental abscesses, cavities, and gum diseases. Your local dentist can help you fix these problems.

Chronic halitosis is a condition that is very real. If you want refreshing breath, there are several products on the market that are effective.

How to Get Rid of Halitosis

You can use a tongue scraper to help get rid of unpleasant smells that come from your tongue. This can also help boost your social life.

There are a number of over-the-counter products you can try including breath sprays, Altoids, and mints. These products won’t hurt. However, if your problem is persistent, you should ask your dentist about a system of dental products called BreathRx. This system includes a mouthwash, toothpaste, and tongue scraper. The powerful ingredients in this product, including eucalyptus oil, will make bad breath a thing of the past.

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