Everyone experiences having bad breath at times, and the reasons can be many and varied. What we eat or drink, how we maintain our teeth and gums, and regular visits your Toronto dentistry provider can make the difference between having a sweet or sour breath.
Halitosis is defined as a frequently occurring oral condition commonly referred to as bad breath. And although it is not a serious condition, there are many things that can prevent bad breath.
First, understanding what causes bad breath can lead to preventing it from occurring. Foods such as onions and garlic are thought to be the major culprits, but in reality fish or any foods high in fat can lead to halitosis. Other causes such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or simply not brushing or flossing at least twice daily all can contribute to bad breath. Some medications, chronic lung or sinus infections, gum disease or other oral problems can also lead to halitosis. Avoiding consumption of food and drink that you know contribute to bad breath is a first good step to resolving it. And proper maintenance of your teeth and gums by regular visits to your dentist is imperative.
Many people who have halitosis are not aware of it primarily due to our bodies becoming used to our own odor. If you notice subtle clues such as others keeping their distance from you, you might try the self-diagnosis trick of cupping your hand over your nose and mouth and breathing into your hand. Another option would be to ask a trusted friend or relative for an honest opinion.
There are many things you can do to treat halitosis. First, a visit to your dentist is in order to make sure there are no underlying reasons contributing to your condition. He will perform a total cleaning, check the condition of your teeth and gums and take any radiographs necessary to give you a total assessment of your dental situation. A thorough cleaning with the proper follow up maintenance may resolve the problem. Using a mouthwash or mints can offer you short term relief and are great for the immediate effect, but getting to the bottom of the cause of your bad breath can lead to a longer lasting successful result.