What Is Bad Breath? Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Bad Breath? Diagnosis and Treatment

Feb 01, 2022

Approximately 25 percent of people globally are affected by bad breath. Bad breath, also called halitosis, has many reasons that primarily boil down to oral hygiene. Fetor oris is another name for this condition that is undoubtedly embarrassing and can cause significant concerns and anxiety but is relatively easy to diagnose and treat.

This article will discuss the origins of bad breath, diagnosis, and treatment. Would you please read to understand how to deal with bad breath if you or a family member is affected by this problem?

Essential Facts about Bad Breath

Approximately 1 to 4 people throughout the world are affected by bad breath. Bad oral hygiene is the most common reason for halitosis. Sulfur compounds are produced by bacteria from the food particles left in the mouth after breaking them down. You can reduce mouth odor by keeping your mouth hydrated, and the optimal remedy for halitosis is regular brushing, flossing, and hydration.

Bad Breath Explained

Lousy with is a familiar problem causing significant psychological stress. There are many causes for this condition, and treatments are also available to manage the situation appropriately. Bad breath can affect anyone, and estimates are known to confirm one in four people are affected by halitosis regularly.

The third most typical reason people seek dental care from a dentist in 19010 after tooth decay and gum disease is halitosis. In contrast, simple therapies and lifestyle modifications such as better dental hygiene and quitting smoking often removes the problem. However, if you have persistent bad breath seeking advice from dentists to identify underlying issues is advised.

Symptoms of Halitosis

Specific odors of bad breath can vary depending on what is causing the problem. It is best that you ask a relative or a friend to gauge your mouth odor because it is challenging for you to assess it yourself. If you don’t have anyone around you, use a simple trick like licking your wrist, leaving it to dry, and smelling it. If you find the smell on your wrist repulsive, it suggests you have halitosis.

Many people are concerned about halitosis even though they may not exhibit any symptoms. This condition is known as halitophobia and causes obsessive mouth cleansing behavior.

Diagnosing Halitosis from a Professional

If you visit the cosmetic dentist Bryn Mawr for teeth whitening remedies, they will likely smell your breath and read the odor on a six-point intensity scale. The back of your tongue may also be scrapped, and the scrapings are smelled because the back of your tongue is often a source of the odor.

Dentists use various sophisticated detectors to precisely rate foul odor before identifying the likely cause of the condition to offer bad breath treatment in Philadelphia, PA.
The detectors used by dentists include the following:

  • Halimeter detecting low levels of sulfur.
  • Gas chromatography measures three volatile sulfur compounds: hydrogen sulfide, dimethyl sulfide, and methyl mercaptan.
  • BANA test to measure specific enzyme levels produced by the bacteria causing halitosis.
  • Beta-galactosidase test because levels of this enzyme are co-related with halitosis.

Treatment for Bad Breath

Good oral hygiene is the optimal technique available to reduce bad breath. Good oral hygiene also ensures you avoid cavities and the likelihood of gum disease. You must schedule six-monthly visits to your dentist for checkups and cleanings without exceptions. Dentists recommend toothpaste with an antibacterial ingredient or an antibacterial mouthwash if bad breath affects you. If you have gum disease, the dentist may recommend a deep cleaning and eliminating bacteria in the pockets between your gums and teeth.

Home Remedies for Bad Breath

Simple lifestyle changes and home care can also help get rid of bad breath. If you wish to succeed with all remedies, you must brush your teeth at least twice a day, preferably after every meal. Flossing your teeth can reduce the buildup of food particles and plaque from between your teeth because brushing only cleans 60 percent of the surface of your teeth.

When brushing your teeth, do not neglect your tongue because bacteria, food, and dead cells build up on your tongue and is a common problem among smokers are people with xerostomia. A tongue scraper can help you achieve your goal of cleaning your tongue. In addition, keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water or chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production. You must also change your diet and avoid and alcohol consumption.

If home care techniques fail and bad breath still haunts you, contact The Dental Spa Mainline for additional tests to rule out other conditions.

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