Bad Breathe!

     By Guest author, 
     Dr. Abhinaya. J
     Nothing is more memorable than a smell! Do you all know what Halitosis is? Wondering what it could be?  Everybody likes a pleasant smell, so we use various products for our clothes, rooms, closets, hair, body, and also our mouth if needed. 
But do we all know how our mouth smells like? 

Is it pleasant or bad?
Guessed it yet?

Most of us have the problem of bad breathe which is called HALITOSIS- causing social anxiety. 
Don't we all want to know what causes it or Why we have it? How to smell good, not just by using products but by treating what may cause the bad odour.
Reasons why we may have it?

It could be anything,  
  -The food we eat,

  -Tobacco,  
  -Poor dental hygiene,

  -Dry mouth,

  -Any infection

  -Medications we take

  -Gum problems

  -Faulty restorations

  -Any other dental condition like an abscess, decayed tooth, deep pockets of the gums,OR

  -A medical condition underlying that is undiagnosed

Already guessing what might have caused yours?

May be YES May be NO!

     But whatever it is, just don't take the mouth fresheners, flavoured gums and try to get rid of it. It's time we should treat the cause and have a pleasant smell all day long just not for few hours.

What's the next Question that arises? How do we treat it? Isn't it?

Here are some Do's and Don'ts for you!

Do's :

   Practice good oral hygiene, that includes not just brushing, but also to floss, to clean one's tongue regularly, use mouth wash (Refer to previous posts and know how to floss like a boss and Brush the right way)

   If using dentures or appliances, clean them regularly

   Change your tooth brush regularly every 3-4 months or when its frayed

   Adjust your diet by reducing onion, garlic intake which might have caused your bad odour

   Regular dental visits is real helpful

Don't s:

   Avoid cavities to grow larger and deeper

   Avoid dry mouth by hydrating yourselves often

   Don't delay your dental appointments thinking you have the cure for it at home

WHEN IS IT TIME TO VISIT THE DENTIST?

   After you tried reviewing your oral hygiene practice, trying lifestyle changes like your diet and still nothing seems to work out; you have helped yourself all you could and it's time for us, the dentists to help.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARE AT THE DENTIST'S?

     The dentist may start by asking From when you have this? How often you brush? Or having Any health problems? If you are taking any medication?

     Your Dentist would find what caused your problem and fix them- Like if you have a faulty restoration, replacing it would be the best Or you have much food debris, plaque (a microbial layer covering your teeth) which your tooth brush failed to clean Or you might even have a new cavity developing.

Even the abscess (swelling filled with pus) causes the bad odour.

But What should you not do before you visit the dentist?

     We Dentists would prefer a morning appointment for checking your bad breathe, so don't delay

Don't wear a perfume or take any mouth refreshing gums as it may mask your real problem and might mislead the dentist. 

     If your dentist thinks its nothing to do with your oral hygiene and have any other condition underlying to it, will refer to the physician for further diagnosis.

Hope you find the cause of your problem and treat the way it's demanding to be!

Stay safe! Smell good!

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