Bad Breath -Bad Smell from mouth

Bad Breath (Bad Smell)

 This is also the common health problem which i have seen in the population.  Bad breath or Bad smell from mouth, also called Halitosis, can be socially very embarrassing. There are a number of potential causes of halitosis but the vast majority come down to oral hygiene.

Reason of bad breath or Halitosis :

According to dental studies, about 85 percent of people with persistent bad breath have a dental problem & 15 percent for other reason.

Dental Problem:

Gum disease, Caries, Compromised tooth restoration, Ulcer, Oral Cancer, dry mouth, and bacteria on the tongue are some of the dental problems that can cause bad breath. 

General Problem:

Bad breath can also be because of disease of nose and throat or food habit or for some medicine. Other cause can be for some cancers, and conditions such as metabolic disorders, can cause a distinctive breath odor as a result of chemicals they produce. Chronic reflux of stomach acids (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD) can be associated with bad breath.

As a Dentist,mainly i will discuss on dental problem which causes bad breath.

Bad Breath & Social embarrassing

Gum Disease or Gingivitis & Periodontis: Gum is the supporting structure, which surrounding tooth. Gum disease, also known as Gingivitis & Periodontist, is an infection of the gums that surrounding the teeth structure. It is also one of the main causes of Bleeding gum & tooth loss among adults. It can be caused by a number of factors, but poor oral hygiene is the most common cause.  Mainly for Dental Plaque & Calculus causes Gum problems.

Dental Caries/ Broken tooth:It is an irreversible microbial disease of the calcified tissues of the teeth, characterized by de-mineralization of the inorganic portion and destruction of the organic substance of the tooth. Multiple tooth/ grossly caries causes bad breath. 

Compromised tooth restoration : Overfilled, broken or compromised tooth restoration can cause food impaction & poor Oral hygiene. Old & badly maintained Denture also can cause bad breath.

Other Dental Causes: Chonic mouth Ulcer, Oral Cancer, dry mouth, and bacteria on the tongue are some of the dental problems that can cause bad breath. 

Prevention:

• Rinse water  after every food with sometime use Chlorhexidine mouthwash.
• Stick to gentle, twice-daily brushing with a soft/medium bristle or electric brush 
• Use proper tooth brush & tooth paste.
• Clean your tongue with tongue cleaner.
• Floss once daily & you can massage gum with your finger.
• Chewing habit of hard & fibrous food is a good habit, don't take always soft or liquid food.
• Clean nicely after taking smelly food like onion, ginger, egg,meat etc. 
• Avoid Tobacco, Alcohol
• Also be sure to schedule regular dentist visits for plaque and tartar removal. Every 6 month visit Dentist for scaling treatment,for prevention of dental & general health problems.

Treatments:

Treatment plan will be depending upon the causative factor. Visit Dentist immediately to know the proper cause & to solve the problem & do the necessary treatment after his advice. Antiseptic mouthwashes containing Chlorhexidine is given or Betadine gargle is recommended. Oral prophylaxis(Scaling) or Root planning needed for Periodontics. Commonly Antibiotics like Metronidazole, Doxycycline is used to solve gum problem along with oral hygiene maintain. If you have caries tooth then get treatment for that. If your tooth restroration is compromised then get the  necessary treatments. Drink sufficient quantity of drinking water.