Few things can put a damper on a social event quite as fast and as completely as bad breath. Our Saint Louis dentists understand how problematic and embarrassing chronic bad breath can be, that’s why we’ve put together this short explanation of how and why bad breath develops.
We all know that certain strong-smelling foods can affect your breath after you consume them. Eating onions or garlic, for example, can cause stale breath. This type of bad breath can be annoying and somewhat awkward, but it isn’t indicative of any underlying oral health issues. In general, you just have to clean your smile, drink plenty of water, and wait for the odors to dissipate on their own.
Another common cause of bad breath is periodontal disease. When oral bacteria infect oral tissues, they continue to grow and proliferate. The thing is, when bacteria feed and grow, they emit unpleasant odors as a byproduct. If you are battling gum disease, you’ll likely find it very difficult to achieve fresh breath even if you have just cleaned your smile.
Chronic bad breath can also be indicative of a bad cavity. Tooth decay is, like gum disease, caused by harmful oral bacteria. A diseased tooth can make your breath malodorous and leave an unpleasant taste in your mouth. If you notice this issue with your smile, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible; you absolutely do not want to allow this infection to persist untreated, and potentially spread throughout your smile.
The most effective way to deal with bad breath is to address the underlying cause of the problem. You can cover the problem with mints and gum, but this isn’t a long-term solution and you may miss the chance the treat a developing oral health problem.
Our Saint Louis dentists are here to give you the information and support that you need to overcome chronic bad breath. Give us a call!