Halitosis in Vancouver, BC
Everyone experiences bad breath. However, there is a big difference between everyday bad breath and chronic bad breath, known as halitosis.
The doctors and the oral healthcare professionals at M2 Dental, located near you in Vancouver, want to educate their patients, current and new, on the causes of, and the steps to take in dealing with common and chronic bad breath.
What Causes Bad Breath?
Everyday and chronic bad breath can be result from many issues, from poor oral hygiene to more serious medical issues. Below is a list of the causes within this range.
- Food Particles
Onions, garlic and other strong-smelling ingredients leave particles in the mouth and on the tongue. Bad breath from food particles is easily rectified and not within the range of chronic bad breath.
- Dry Mouth
Smoking, mouth breathing and some medications have the side effect of dry mouth. The lack of saliva means the harmful bacteria is not being naturally rinsed from the mouth, and this will lead to bad breath. Occasional dry mouth is not chronic, but bad breath from daily smoking will lead into the category of chronic.
- Dental Issues
Halitosis, or chronic bad breath, is often a sign of gum disease or tooth decay. These issues are caused by the colonizing of harmful bacteria in cavities and in the pockets around the gumline. The use of common breath-freshening rinses and mints will mask the symptoms for a short time, but the smell will remain until the core issue is treated.
- Medical Issues
Illnesses that affect the sinuses, the nasal passages and the throat will cause halitosis. At times, halitosis can be a sign of liver or kidney disease.
How to Deal with Halitosis
Always remember that a short-term problem can be solved by a short-term solution. If bad breath is the result of food particles or dry mouth, then the stimulation of saliva will help wash away the bacteria and the particles. The production of saliva can be stimulated by chewing of sugarless gum, by rinsing with a minty, antiseptic mouthwash or by brushing teeth.
If bad breath is the result of a chronic issue, then begin with a visit to your dentist for an oral examination regardless of when your next appointment is scheduled. If no dental issues are found, then the next visit must be with your medical doctor as the cause is internal to the body.
Treating the causes of halitosis, as opposed to masking the symptoms, will result in a healthier you.
If you would like a consultation to further discuss the differences between bad breath and halitosis, then please contact the oral healthcare professionals at M2 Dental, located in Vancouver, where new patients are always welcome.
M2 Dental is trusted and highly recommended in diagnosing and treating the causes of halitosis, as well as other treatments and procedures in general and restorative dentistry.