Does Your Bad Breath
Embarrass You Every Day?
Bad breath (halitosis) can cause embarrassment,
create social and psychologica barriers, and even affect relationships. Some people with bad breath aren't even aware there’s a problem. That's because they probably used a mouthwash earlier in the day and the effects wore off.
The reason is that most over-the-counter products do not eliminate bad breath. They can only hide it temporarily. An independent study of fifteen mouthwash products showed that while they all masked bad breath after ten minutes, only a few were still working after a few hours. Additionally, most mouthwash products contain alcohol that dries soft oral tissue and ultimately leads to even faster formation of odor-causing bacteria.
Mouthwashes are generally cosmetic and do not have a long-lasting effect on bad breath. If you must constantly use a breath freshener to hide unpleasant mouth odor, your problem may be more serious. So if the mouthwash cycle hasn't been working for you, and you're still concerned about bad breath, see your dentist. He or she can help identify the cause and, if it’s due to an oral condition, develop a treatment plan to help eliminate it.
Whether you call it bad breath or halitosis, it's an unpleasant condition that's cause for embarrassment. We've all had friends, relatives and co-workers with less than fresh breath. We turn away when they talk, or shy away when they kiss. Why? Because there's just no easy way to bring up such a sensitive subject.
But Dr.Carmichael is an expert in bad breath and won't cringe at the mention of the issue. Bad breath (halitosis) is a common problem, which often comes from the activity of bacteria in the mouth. Although there is no way of knowing for sure, most adults probably suffer from bad breath occasionally, with perhaps a quarter suffering from it on a regular basis.
There are two types of bad breath. Transitory, or occasional, bad breath is caused by foods like garlic and onions and generally only lasts from 24 to 72 hours. It might be referred to as "morning breath," which goes away after you brush your teeth.
Chronic, or regular, bad breath does not improve over time. In some instances, chronic bad breath is actually caused by underlying medical conditions like diabetes, sinusitis or emphysema. And in those rare situations, treating the disease could possibly eliminate the cause of the bad breath.
The odor of chronic bad breath results when bacteria in the mouth and on the tongue cause the formation of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC's) in the form of hydrogen sulfides. The back of the tongue is the prime breeding spot for anaerobic bacteria that creates odor-causing Volatile Sulfur Compounds. This may be an ongoing problem requiring professional breath management.
For more information, Call Carmichael Dental today, and ask to speak to one of our staff members.
Call Today: (619) 479-9143 or Email us drcarmichael@mindspring.com