Bad
Breath - Halitosis
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Whether you call
it bad breath or halitosis, it’s an unpleasant condition
that’s cause for embarrassment. Some people with bad breath
aren’t even aware there’s a problem. If you’re concerned
about bad breath, see Dr Phillip F. Ajaje. He can help identify
the cause and, if it’s due to an oral condition, develop
a treatment plan to help eliminate it.
What you eat affects
the air you exhale. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions,
contribute to objectionable breath odor. Once the food is
absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the
lungs, where it is expelled. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash
will only mask the odor temporarily. Odors continue until
the body eliminates the food. Dieters may develop unpleasant
breath from infrequent eating.
If you don't brush
and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth,
collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Food that
collects between the teeth, on the tongue and around the
gums can rot, leaving an unpleasant odor.
Bad breath can also
be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which
occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary
to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause
odor. Dry mouth may be caused by various medications, salivary
gland problems or continuously breathing through the mouth.
If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may prescribe
anartificial saliva, or suggest using sugarless candy and
increasing your fluid intake.
Tobacco products
cause bad breath. If you use tobacco, ask your dentist for
tips on kicking the habit.
Bad breath
may be the sign of a medical disorder,
such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic
sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes,
gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. If
your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy, you
may be referred to your family doctor or a specialist to
determine the cause of bad breath.
Maintaining
good oral health is essential to reducing bad breath.
Schedule regular dental visits for a professional cleaning
and checkup. If you think you have constant bad breath,
keep a log of the foods you eat and make a list of medications
you take. Some medications may play a role in creating mouth
odors. Let your dentist know if you've had any surgery or
illness since your last appointment.
Brush twice
a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris
and plaque. Brush your tongue, too. Once a day, use floss
or an interdental cleaner to clean between teeth.
Mouthwashes
are generally cosmetic and do not have a long-lasting
effect on bad breath. If you must constantly use a breath
freshener to hide unpleasant mouth odor, see your dentist.
If you need extra help in controlling plaque, your dentist
may recommend using a special antimicrobial mouth rinse.
A fluoride mouth rinse, used along with brushing and flossing,
can help prevent tooth decay.
Xerostomia:
Dry Mouth
Xerostomia: An Anatomy
Xerostomia can be defined as dry mouth resulting from reduced
or totally absent saliva flow.
Xerostomia is not really a disease
but it maybe a symptom of a medical condition such as Sjogren's
Syndrome (an auto immune disease), a side effect from cancer
therapy such as chemotherapeutic medications or radiation
treatment or a side effect of a wide variety of medications.
Common Complications
There are many complications associated with xerostomia.
It can affect dental, nutritional, and psychological health.
These can include difficulty swallowing, sore throats, burning
sensations, and even difficulty speaking.
Xerostomia will decrease oral ph,
which will increase oral plaque and dental caries. Also
yeast infections (oral candidiasis) are very common oral
infections associated with xerostomia.
Implications for Eating, Speaking using Dentures
With xerostomia, people will often have some or all of the
following complaints: Problems with swallowing, eating,
speaking, and wearing dentures. Dry foods such as cereals,
crackers, or other crumbly foods will be difficult to chew
and swallow. Individuals with dentures will develop denture
sores, retention problems, and difficulty speaking.
Some patients will develop taste
disorders, a painful tongue, and an increased need to drink
liquids. Other signs and symptoms will include cracking
or fissuring of the lips(cheilitis), ulceration or inflammation
of the tongue, and quite often halitosis.
Managing Xerostomia
Management and treatment of xerostomia first needs to include
the identification of the xerostomic condition and the cause.
In many situations it will be difficult
to eliminate or alter the underlying cause, so palliative
treatment can be used, but will not cure the condition.
Prescription medications such as Salagen(pilocarpine) may
help some while over-the-counter dry mouth products such
as Biotene brand products or artificial saliva products
will be fine for many.
It is also recommended to avoid alcohol
based mouth rinses and products containing sodium lauryl
sulfate. Many times patients can just sip plain water or
mix water and glycerine in a small aerosol bottle to get
satisfactory relief.
Proactive Monitoring for Optimal Oral Health
Patients who suffer from xerostomia need to take an active
role in their own management of their condition. If patients
are diligent with regard to both identifying products and
practices that are most useful to them, they can minimize
the risks to their dental health.
Patients must also do a thorough,
daily mouth exam to check for dark, discolored patches,
ulcers, or tooth decay. If anything unusual is found, it
needs to be reported immediately to their dentist or physician.
Xerostomia is a common problem and
if not recognized and treated properly, can have a significant
effect on a patient's quality of life. Through proper education,
assessment, prevention, and appropriate treatment, patients
along with their dentists can minimize xerostomia and its
effect on quality of life and overall dental health.
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