Gresham Chiropractor

Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath and is a well known condition everyone will endure at some time. Some people suffer from this problem more so than others. The two major causes of mouth odor as determined by medical specialists are decaying food particles and bacteria. Small hidden areas within your oral cavity hold these elements. Mouthwash is a quick fix, but does not actually cure the problem. Mouthwash and mints may be an immediate fix, but do not cure the problem.

One of the problem areas is your tongue. One of the trouble areas for bad breath is your tongue. Brushing your teeth should be followed up with a good tongue cleaning. Tongue cleaning should be a part of your regular tooth brushing routine. Scrapers are made especially for this hygiene but you can also use the edge of a spoon or a toothbrush to reach the entire surface. The part of your tongue closest to the tonsils should receive extra care. Orthodontic and preventative mouth appliances should be thoroughly sanitized.

Retainers and mouth guards have the ability to catch bacteria, transferring it to diverse parts of the mouth. When you wake in the morning, bad breath is the worse due to dry mouth. Saliva washes away food particles and utilizes enzymes to kill bacteria. A good stimulant for this production is chewing sugarless gum. Salivation increases the more you chew and gums made with the sweetener xylitol help prevent bacteria build up. Chew as much gum as you want. Bacteria will not reside in the mouth when saliva is being produced. Drinking water is good for washing out your mouth, but it will not increase saliva. Breath mints temporarily take away odor, but do not rid you of the cause.

Halitosis may be a symptom of a physical illness. If bad breath persists even with good oral hygiene, you should contact a physician. This could be a sign of something simple like postnasal drip or a more severe condition such as kidney disease. Medications for other illnesses may cause halitosis by drying out the mouth. Notify your doctor immediately when you become aware of this problem.

Be sure your doctor is aware of this problem so another form of medicine can be prescribed. Halitosis should be treated seriously and one should always be aware of any changes.

Visit this website as they provide detailed information on how to get rid of bad breath