subject: What You Need To Know About Bad Breath [print this page] Aside from gum diseases and tooth decay, bad breath is one of the reasons why many people in Los Angeles, California seek for dental treatments. It is medically termed as halitosis that describes a foul or unpleasant odor exhaled from the mouth. Bad breath affects people personally and socially by affecting the way they project themselves and interact with other people.
Bad breath is considered normal in the morning when the mouth recovers from the lack of oxygen and activity during sleep. Nevertheless, people should not set aside the possibilities of acquiring systemic diseases. Bad breath can also be a symptom of a complex ailment in the digestive system.
Bad breath can be a result of different factors. In most cases, bad breath is caused by complications in the mouth. Nevertheless, many dentists also consider eating habits and health problems that may be associated with bad breath. Two of the most known foods that cause bad breath are onion and garlic. Although brushing can eliminate the odor temporarily, these foods cause bad breath until they get out of your body.
Poor habits can also cause halitosis. Many Los Angeles dentists believe that smoking plays a big role in developing bad breath. Nicotine can cause drying of gum tissues and deterioration of tooth structure, leading to the formation of plaques and cavities. These plaques and cavities can cause bad breath. That is why many dentists in Los Angeles advice people to observe proper oral hygiene by brushing and flossing their teeth every after meal.
Bad breath is associated with other health problems such as periodontitis (gum disease) and xerostomia (dry mouth syndrome). Los Angeles dentists believe that bad breath can be a symptom of periodontitis that is caused by the weakening of gum tissues in the mouth. Xerostomia, however, can be described as the lack of saliva in the mouth causing it to dry. It can be caused by infections in salivary glands, medications, anxiety, or excessive alcohol intake.
There are many ways to prevent bad breath aside from quitting smoking. Los Angeles dentists recommend patients to drink plenty of water and chew sugar-free gums or candies to stimulate the saliva. People can also monitor the type of food they eat. In cases when mouth complications are not the reason for bad breath, dentists may recommend people to visit their family doctors.
