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(989)
872-3870
6240
Hill Street
Cass City, MI 48726
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information
Copyright © 2004
James D. Thomas, DDS, PC
All Rights Reserved
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Halitosis
(Bad Breath)
Halitosis or bad
breath is a social turn off. It is a problem that is easy to get
rid of most of the time. The number one cause of halitosis is
bacterial plaque and food particles on the teeth, which decay
and support the growth of bacteria. Bacteria excrete compounds
with a bad odor. Keeping your teeth clean is the simple solution
to freshen your
breath in this
case. Bad breath may be caused by certain foods (eg., onions,
garlic), coffee or tobacco use. Additional causes of bad breath
are listed below, these are divided into
oral and
systemic (non-oral) causes.
Oral
Causes
Oral causes of
bad breath comprise 90% of the cases of bad breath. These include:
- Periodontal
(gum) disease, infection of the gums. Some additional signs
of periodontal disease are red, swollen or tender gums that bleed
when you
brush or floss, painful
gums, or loose teeth.
- Plaque, that
sticky substance, comprised of bacteria, which adheres to the
surfaces of your teeth and gumline.
- Microorganisms
on surface of tongue. The warm, moist environment in the
mouth is ideal for growth of microorganisms.
- Dry Mouth.
The saliva plays a role in washing bacteria and odors
away from the teeth and is important in the digestion
process. Dry mouth may be caused by salivary gland problems,
medications or "mouth breathing".
- Broken fillings, crowns or teeth that retain bacteria
- Unclean
dentures harboring food particles will support bacterial
growth.
- Cancerous oral lesions
- Throat
Infections
- Cleft Palate
- Tooth Decay
Systemic
Causes
Systemic or non-oral
causes of bad breath comprise the other 10% of cases of halitosis.
If your dentist suspects one of these causes, you may be referred
to your physician. These include:
- Renal or
hepatic failure
- Carcinomas
- Diabetes
- Respiratory
tract infections
- Cirrhosis of
the liver
If you have a recurrent
problem with bad breath that proper brushing and flossing doesn't
take care of please make an appointment with your dentist or
discuss your concern with us at your next hygiene visit.
For
instructions on proper brushing and flossing techniques click
here How to brush and floss:
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