Bad breath is, well, quite frankly, bad. This condition isn’t only embarrassing, it can also be a sign of other problems happening in your mouth or throughout your body. If you have bad breath that doesn’t seem to go away no matter how much you brush your teeth, how much minty gum you chew, or how much mouthwash you use, we recommend seeing your dentist in Ramsey sooner rather than later.
Types of Bad Breath
There are different types of bad breath, also called halitosis, and different smells can mean different things.
- Sweet & Fruity – Even though sweet and fruity doesn’t sound like a way to describe bad breath, it’s actually a sign of something very serious. Sweet or fruity breath can indicate ketoacidosis or kidney failure.
- Fishy – Breath that smells like fish can also be a sign of kidney trouble.
- Rotten Eggs – This smell can indicate that there’s something wrong with the digestive tract such as GERD.
- Moldy – Breath that smells a bit moldy is most common in those who have a sinus infection.
Other Causes of Bad Breath
While there are certainly several serious conditions that can cause bad breath, oftentimes bad breath is a symptom of something going in the mouth.
Poor Dental Hygiene
The most common underlying cause of bad breath is a buildup of bacteria in the mouth. This can occur when someone has poor dental hygiene. Your Ramsey dentist always recommends brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day to remove bacteria. However, when this isn’t done regularly, bacteria can linger around and cause bad breath. Make sure you’re brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes and taking the time to floss in between each tooth.
Gum Disease
Another top cause of bad breath is gum disease. Gum disease is a serious problem that can lead to tooth loss and other problems throughout the body such as the increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and respiratory complications. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is caused when bacteria find their way into the gum tissue and hide out. These bacteria can be tricky to remove. This buildup of bacteria can once again lead to foul breath. Gum disease needs to be treated quickly or it will be irreversible. This is just one of the reasons why it’s so important to see your dentist in Ramsey every six months.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth can result in much more than that gross, annoyingly dry feeling. It can also cause bad breath and other dental problems. Dry mouth results from a lack of saliva production. Saliva is what typically helps wash away bacteria and neutralize acids in the mouth. Without enough of it, bacteria tend to linger around and can emit an unpleasant odor. There are several things that can cause dry mouth including certain medicines or dehydration. Your dentist in Ramsey recommends drinking plenty of water throughout the day and reviewing your medications and side effects with your medical doctor.
Chronic bad breath should be taken seriously. So if you find yourself shying away from talking to people because you’re embarrassed by the way your breath smells, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can.
