Causes of Bad Breath

Bad breath isn’t just unpleasant; it’s a sign of how your oral health is doing. Tooth decay, acid reflux, and other issues associated with gingivitis can all result in foul odors. We at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach want our patients to be able to recognize the what might be causing halitosis so they can treat it properly or seek our help.

As bacteria consume food particles and metabolize them, they secrete acid as a waste product. The acid gets stuck in the biological film on teeth, creating plaque, and eventually hardening into tartar. There, it causes tooth decay and gum recession and emits a foul odor. Bacteria may also heavily colonize the papillae of the tongue, particularly when the back of the tongue is coated in nasal discharge for the bacteria to feed on. When a patient is suffering from dry mouth, saliva isn’t depriving bacteria of a food source by washing away debris, allowing the bacteria to grow more rapidly.

Bad breath can also be caused by regurgitated stomach acid or by disorders such as diabetes that compromise the immune system. These would weaken the mouth’s defenses against odor-emitting bacteria. To reduce bad breath, patients should use tongue scrapers daily and brush their teeth thoroughly twice a day. They can also reduce their risk of acid reflux by not eating or drinking alcohol before bed.

Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Banish Bad Breath

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be embarrassing and in some cases may even cause anxiety. It’s no wonder you may stock up on mints, gum, and other products designed to fight bad breath. But many of these products are only a temporary solution to the problem. In many cases, you can improve bad breath with proper dental hygiene. However, it’s important to schedule professional cleanings and regular dental checkups at All Coast Dental twice a year.

If you don’t brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath. Bad breath odors vary, depending on the source or the underlying cause. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of gum disease. If you have bad breath, review your oral hygiene habits. If your bad breath persists after making changes, visit us as soon as possible.

If you are embarrassed by bad breath, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at our practice, visit www.allcoastdental.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call 858-270-4904.