Bad breath is a tedious condition that affects 60 million Americans in the United States. While the most stereotypical reason for it is foods like garlic or onions, the real causes are more complex. Causes of bad breath range from diseases that affect other parts of the body, to medications that may be prescribed by your doctor. The most important thing to know about bad breath is that the best way to fight it depends on its cause.
How Do I Know If I Have Bad Breath?
There is no physical indicator that signifies when someone has bad breath. Bad breath can happen for people of any age, gender and ethnicity. If you cup your hands and breathe into them, you can use this method to get some idea of how your breath smells. However, it’s more reliable to ask a trusted friend or family member if they detect any problems with your breath. It may seem awkward to ask someone to smell your breath, but it’s less embarrassing than experiencing halitosis in public.
Alarming Statistics About Bad Breath
Bad breath has created a massive industry with mints, gum and mouthwash providing temporary freshness for millions of people. Here are some compelling stats about the condition of bad breath:
- Americans spend about $10 billion per year on oral hygiene products.
- 90% of bad breath sufferers spend $400 per year fighting their halitosis.
- 70% of teens consider bad breath an instant turn off.
- In a Match.com survey, bad breath was labeled one of the 3 most unattractive traits.
- 71% of halitosis suffers have considered surgery for their condition.
- The success rate of surgery for curing halitosis is less than 3%.
What Role Does Dental Care Play In Preventing Halitosis?
Proper dental care plays a key role in keeping your breath fresh. This includes brushing twice per day and flossing, but may also incorporate mouthwash, a water pick or other dental products. Another technique you may want to incorporate for keeping your breath clean is brushing your tongue. The reason why keeping your dental care up to par is important for preventing bad breath is that brushing gets rid of the foul bacteria that create a fertile breeding ground for halitosis.
A second way that your daily oral care routine prevents bad breath is by preventing one of its main causes, gingivitis. Certain diseases can boost the amount of plaque and bacteria in your mouth and gum disease is among them. Proper brushing and flossing significantly reduce the chances of gum disease developing in your mouth.
Other Diseases That Can Cause Halitosis
Conditions in the mouth and gums often affect the rest of the body and vice versa. For this reason, many other diseases can cause bad breath, even if they aren’t associated with the mouth. Here are some of the diseases commonly known to cause halitosis:
- Lung infections
- Sinus infections
- Throat infections
- Postnasal drip
- Alcoholism (Causes dry mouth)
- Kidney diseases
- Liver disease
- Diabetes
- Acid reflux disease
How Can The Dentist Improve My Breath?
If you have bad breath, a trip to the dentist can solve the problem entirely. By doing a thorough deep cleaning on your teeth and gums, all of the bacteria and plaque will be removed, greatly improving your breath.
Another benefit of going to the dentist is that they can identify symptoms of gum disease and can tell you the source of your bad breath. Most cases of gum disease are caused by poor oral care, so the dentist can freshen up your mouth and remind you of what is included in an effective oral care regimen.
Call Dental Smiles At Dacula To Improve Your Breath
A dentist can do a lot to freshen your breath and improve your dental health. Let Dr. Devang Shah assess your specific situation, and choose the best treatment for your needs. From a thorough cleaning to the prevention of gum disease, Dr. Devang Shah can make effective improvements to your breath. Contact Dental Smiles At Dacula and see how we can upgrade your oral health.
