{"id":4206,"date":"2013-09-05T00:07:34","date_gmt":"2013-09-05T06:07:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mckenzielakedental.ca\/?post_type=avada_faq&#038;p=4206"},"modified":"2013-09-05T00:07:34","modified_gmt":"2013-09-05T06:07:34","slug":"what-should-i-do-if-i-have-bad-breath","status":"publish","type":"avada_faq","link":"https:\/\/mckenzielakedental.ca\/faq-items\/what-should-i-do-if-i-have-bad-breath","title":{"rendered":"What should I do if I have bad breath?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Bad breath (halitosis) can be an unpleasant and embarrassing condition.\u00a0 Many of us may not realize that we have bad breath, but everyone has it from time to time, especially in the morning.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">There are various reasons one may have bad breath, but in healthy people, the major reason is due to microbial deposits on the tongue, especially the back of the tongue.\u00a0 Some studies have shown that simply brushing the tongue reduced bad breath by as much as 70 percent.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><i><b>What may cause bad breath?<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><b>Morning time<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> \u2013 Saliva flow almost stops during sleep and its reduced cleansing action allows bacteria to grow, causing bad breath.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><b>Certain foods<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> \u2013 Garlic, onions, etc.\u00a0 Foods containing odor-causing compounds enter the blood stream; they are transferred to the lungs, where they are exhaled.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><b>Poor oral hygiene habits<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> \u2013 Food particles remaining in the mouth promote bacterial growth.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><b>Periodontal (gum) disease<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> \u2013 Colonies of bacteria and food debris residing under inflamed gums.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><b>Dental cavities and improperly fitted dental appliances<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> \u2013 May also contribute to bad breath.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><b>Dry mouth (Xerostomia)<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> \u2013 May be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous mouth breathing.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><b>Tobacco products<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> \u2013 Dry the mouth, causing bad breath.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><b>Dieting<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> \u2013 Certain chemicals called ketones are released in the breath as the body burns fat.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><b>Dehydration, hunger, and missed meals<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> \u2013 Drinking water and chewing food increases saliva flow and washes bacteria away.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><b>Certain medical conditions and illnesses<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> \u2013 Diabetes, liver and kidney problems, chronic sinus infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia are several conditions that may contribute to bad breath.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><i>Keeping a record of what you eat may help identify the cause of bad breath. \u00a0Also, review your current medications, recent surgeries, or illnesses with your dentist.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><i><b>What can I do to prevent bad breath?<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><b>Practice good oral hygiene<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> \u2013 Brush at least twice a day with an ADA approved fluoride toothpaste and toothbrush.\u00a0 Floss daily to remove food debris and plaque from in between the teeth and under the gumline.\u00a0 Brush or use a tongue scraper to clean the tongue and reach the back areas.\u00a0 Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months.\u00a0 If you wear dentures or removable bridges, clean them thoroughly and place them back in your mouth in the morning.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><b>See your dentist regularly<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> \u2013 Get a check-up and cleaning at least twice a year.\u00a0 If you have or have had periodontal disease, your dentist will recommend more frequent visits.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><b>Stop smoking\/chewing tobacco<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> \u2013 Ask your dentist what they recommend to help break the habit.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><b>Drink water frequently<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> \u2013 Water will help keep your mouth moist and wash away bacteria.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><b>Use mouthwash\/rinses<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> \u2013 Some over-the-counter products only provide a temporary solution to mask unpleasant mouth odor.\u00a0 Ask your dentist about <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><i>antiseptic rinses<\/i><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> that not only alleviate bad breath, but also kill the germs that cause the problem.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">In most cases, your dentist can treat the cause of bad breath.\u00a0 If it is determined that your mouth is healthy, but bad breath is persistent, your dentist may refer you to your physician to determine the cause of the odor and an appropriate treatment plan.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bad breath (halitosis) can be an unpleasant and embarrassing condition.\u00a0 Many of us may not realize that we have bad breath, but everyone has it from time to time, especially in the morning. There are various reasons one may have bad breath, but in healthy people, the major reason is due to microbial deposits on the tongue, especially the back of the tongue.\u00a0 Some studies have shown that simply brushing the tongue reduced bad breath by as much as 70 percent. What may cause bad breath? Morning time \u2013 Saliva flow almost stops during sleep and its reduced cleansing action allows bacteria to grow, causing bad breath. Certain foods \u2013 Garlic, onions, etc.\u00a0 Foods containing odor-causing compounds enter the blood stream; they are transferred to the lungs, where they are exhaled. Poor oral hygiene habits \u2013 Food particles remaining in the mouth promote bacterial growth. Periodontal (gum) disease \u2013 Colonies of bacteria and food debris residing under inflamed gums. Dental cavities and improperly fitted dental appliances \u2013 May also contribute to bad breath. Dry mouth (Xerostomia) \u2013 May be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous mouth breathing. Tobacco products \u2013 Dry the mouth, causing bad breath. Dieting \u2013 Certain chemicals called ketones are released in the breath as the body burns fat. Dehydration, hunger, and missed meals \u2013 Drinking water and chewing food increases saliva flow and washes bacteria away. Certain medical conditions and illnesses \u2013 Diabetes, liver and kidney problems, chronic sinus infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia are several conditions that may contribute to bad breath. Keeping a record of what you eat may help identify the cause of bad breath. \u00a0Also, review your current medications, recent surgeries, or illnesses with your  [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"faq_category":[],"class_list":["post-4206","avada_faq","type-avada_faq","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mckenzielakedental.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/avada_faq\/4206","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mckenzielakedental.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/avada_faq"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mckenzielakedental.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/avada_faq"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mckenzielakedental.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mckenzielakedental.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4206"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mckenzielakedental.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/avada_faq\/4206\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mckenzielakedental.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"faq_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mckenzielakedental.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/faq_category?post=4206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}