Nobody wants to deal with bad breath. But not being aware that you have bad breath is even worse than the malodor itself. In fact, more than half of us have bad breath, and we just don’t know it. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to get rid of this oral malady and most of the solutions are very simple. You can start by looking out for these possible signs of bad breath.
You Have Dry Mouth: Dry mouth, or what dentists call xerostomia, is one of the most common causes of bad breath. This oral health problem is characterized by decreased flow of saliva, which is needed to wash away bacteria from your mouth, including ones that cause bad breath. Without enough saliva, odor-causing bacteria thrive, thus producing foul odor. Some causes of xerostomia include sleeping with your mouth open, chewing or smoking tobacco, and medications. You Have White Coating On Your Tongue: White coating on tongue is the most predictable sign of bad breath. This coating is made up mostly of sulfur compounds that have accumulated on the surface of the tongue. It occurs when the so-called lingual papillae on the surface of the tongue enlarge and get swollen. These swollen papillae provide an ideal niche for bacteria, dead cells, and other debris. The sulfur compounds are produced mainly by bacteria. Like dry mouth, white tongue is also caused by a lot of factors. These include dry mouth itself, tobacco use, fever, and poor oral hygiene. You Suffer From Gastric Reflux: Unfortunately, acid reflux not only causes discomfort but foul mouth odor as well. Unlike other causes of bad breath, this one cannot be solved by simple means like improving your oral hygiene and quitting tobacco use. To get rid of acid reflux, you have to consult your physician so he or she can prescribe appropriate treatment. You Eat Bad Breath-Causing Foods You probably know already how foods like onion, garlic, and other spices cause bad breath. But other than these, you also have coffee, acidic foods and beverages, dairy products, and protein-rich foods. These foods create an environment where bacteria can thrive. To counteract this, increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. In addition, drink water more often. Now that you know more about the possible causes of bad breath, here are some simple tricks to know for sure. First, use a small piece of cotton and wipe in on the surface of your mouth. A yellowish stain on the cotton indicates increased amounts of sulfide. You may also lick the back of your hand; let it dry for a few seconds, then smell. You may also ask for an unbiased opinion from someone close to you, although this can still be embarrassing. Talking about your mouth is not easy, more so if it is about bad breath. Thus, the best thing to do is to seek consultation from Irresistible Smiles dental professional for diagnosis, identification of the cause, and prescription of the most appropriate treatment.
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