Everyone has bad breath at some point. Maybe it was the pasta with extra garlic sauce you ate last night for dinner. Maybe you just need to pop a breath mint or chew a piece of gum. Or, maybe your bad breath is trying to tell you something about your dental health.
In some cases, bad breath can be caused by a lack of saliva in your mouth. Dry mouth (Xerostomia) is a common side effect of many different medications including certain blood pressure medications, anti-depressants, antihistamines and many others. If your bad breath is being caused by dry mouth, an oral rinse to restore mouth moisture may be prescribed. Sucking on sugar-free candy or chewing sugar-free gum and drinking lots of water can also help with saliva production.
In other cases, persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of gum disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on the teeth and, if left untreated, can cause serious damage to the teeth and gums. The best way to prevent gum disease is to brush and floss regularly to remove food particles from the teeth and gums. Visiting your dentist for professional dental cleanings can also go along way in preventing gum disease.
Bad breath may also be a sign of other dental and general health problems including yeast infections of the mouth, dental caries and sinus infections. In this case, treatments to treat the underlying cause of the bad breath may be needed to eliminate the problem.
You should not ignore persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the your mouth. If you are experiencing these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your dentists today. After a thorough evaluation, your dentist can recommend the most appropriate method to treat the symptoms and protect the long-term health of your teeth and gums.
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