GUIDE TO PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF BAD BREATHPATIENT’S

Dr. Jennifer Graas

PATIENT’S GUIDE to Preventionand Treatment of Bad BreathDr. Jennifer Graas

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Bad breath is a very common problem, everyone experiences it from time to time! Despite this, it is still a sensitive issue and many people hesitate to bring it up with us at their visits because of an-xiety or embarrassment. We thought we would put together some information to help you learn a little bit more about the causes of bad breath and learn some strategies to prevent and/or treat it.

The medical term for bad breath is halitosis. Because it is such a common issue, there are many di�erent products like mouth rinses, gum, and mints which are advertised to eliminate bad breath. However, these types of solutions only temporarily cover up the problem and don’t address the cause.

Here are some common causes to be aware of:

1. Poor oral hygiene:

• Infrequent brushing/flossing• Not brushing the tongue• Infrequent dental hygiene visits

2. Abscessed tooth, gum disease, tooth decay and other oral infections:

• An abscessed tooth occurs when bacteria invades the pulp or nerve tissue inside the tooth. This leads to bacterial infection and can result in pain, swelling, bad breath and/or taste. • Periodontal (gum) disease is a chronic oral infection, often painless, which can also lead to gum abscesses and bad breath. • Tooth decay can also cause bad breath.

3. Foods:

We all know the common food and drinks that can cause bad breath – garlic, onions, certain spices, co�ee etc. Some of these foods can leave potent, lasting odors.

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4. Chronic dry mouth:

Saliva acts to cleanse our mouth, removing particles that cause bad odors. Dry mouth is a very common condition as salivary flow naturally decreases as we age, but it has several other causes: • Many medications have a side e�ect of dry mouth • Radiation to the head and neck area for cancer treatment• Certain medical conditions that a�ect saliva production (eg. Sjogren’s syndrome). • Smoking cigarettes and/or cannabis• Excessive alcohol and ca�eine intake

5. Sinus infections:

When fluid becomes trapped in the sinuses, bacteria and excess mucus can collect and this may lead to infection. Symptoms of a sinus infection may include post nasal drip, poor sense of smell, facial pain and pressure, fever, and runny nose. Viruses cause most sinus infections, and symptoms usually resolve on their own with rest and fluids. If you are experiencing chronic sinus infections, you should speak with your physician to see if there might be an underlying cause.

Here are some less frequent causes:

1. Reflux or GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease): Frequent acid reflux can cause bad breath as well. Symptoms of GERD include heartburn, di�culty swallowing, feeling like something is caught in your throat, as well as dental caries and tooth erosion.

2. Other medical conditions: Lung infections, advanced kidney disease, advanced liver disease, diabetic ketoacidosis and trimethylaminuria (a rare genetic condition) are examples of medical conditions that can cause bad breath.

3. Foreign bodies in the nose: this is usually seen in children!

4. Recent course of systemic antibiotics: this can disrupt the normal bacterial flora in the mouth and cause bad breath.

6. Tonsil stones (tonsilloliths):

Bad breath can occasionally stem from small stones that form in the tonsils that are covered with bac-teria that produce odor.

7. Smoking, Cannabis and chewing tobacco users:

Smoking causes bad breath and dries out your mouth. Smokers are also more likely to have gum disease which is another cause of bad breath (see #2).

If you are concerned about your breath, try making the lifestyle changes above. If your bad breath persists after making these changes, please book an appointment with us to discuss possible causes and to determine if you should see your physician to find the cause of the odor.

Did you know there is also a condition called “Halitophobia”? This is where people think that they have bad breath but they actually don’t!

We hope this has helped to answer any questions you may have regarding bad breath. Should you have any other concerns please feel free to contact us or request an appointment for a consultation.Dr. Jennifer Graas

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Here are some tips to keep your breath smelling fresh:

BRUSH AND FLOSS YOUR TEETHA MINIMUM OF TWICE DAILY

BRUSH YOUR TONGUETWICE DAILY

CONSIDER ADDING A WATERPIKTO YOUR ORAL HYGIENE ROUTINE

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER EACH DAY(8 glasses minimum)

REDUCE ALCOHOL ANDCAFFEINE INTAKE

x2

x8 -

x2

x2

USE A NEUTRAL PH MOUTHRINSETWICE DAILY(we recommend SMART MOUTH, which prevents andeliminates bacterial production of sulfur gas)