Dr. Peter Merai of Comprehensive Dental Care of Oxon Hill, Maryland Discusses Causes of Halitosis

OXON HILL, Md. - April 13, 2013 - PRLog -- Many times the complaint about bad breath is not from the offender but it is actually from a long-time suffering spouse or family member. Unfortunately, there are many causes of bad breath, which is called "halitosis" - some serious and some not. And while many people have decided to just hold their nose and live with it, the good news is diagnosing and treating bad breath is something that can easily be done.

So to answer the question as best as we can, here is a list; in no particular order, of the reasons why people may slowly be backing away during a conversation.

Food Containing Pungent Oils

Yes - garlic and onions are extremely healthy, but they also contain oils which may cause an unhealthy reaction to those around you. These odors come from the lungs, last up to 72 hours and can be tough to cover up. Mints, gum and rinses are your best bet - or make sure everyone around you has had the same yummy food as well!

Routine Illnesses

Colds, sore throats, coughs and sinus infections all cause yucky smelling mucus to get trapped in our mouths, throats or noses, which causes foul breath until the illness is taken care of. Of course, if you have one of these highly contagious problems, you shouldn't be that close to someone anyway. If a sinus infection, sore throat, cough or cold doesn't clear up in a few days to a week, you should probably see your doctor to make sure things aren't of a more serious nature.

Dry Mouth

A dry mouth allows dead cells to accumulate on your gums, tongue and cheeks. And while morning breath is a perfectly normal phenomenon due to lower salivary activity at night - it shouldn't last all day. Those who snore, mouth-breathe, take certain medicines, or even those in their middle ages are prone to dry mouth.

Smoking

Smoking dries out your mouth and also, tobacco just plain stinks. If lung cancer and heart disease aren't reason enough to give up the cigarettes, maybe a constant foul mouth will help you make that life-saving decision?

Chronic Diseases or Conditions

Many serious diseases such as lung infections, kidney failures, diabetes, cancer, GERD, anorexia, bulemia and other diseases can cause very specific types of halitosis. The good news is that these are on the rare side, but if anything along these lines is suspected, a referral to the appropriate doctor is in order.

Poor Dental Hygiene and Gum Disease

Ahhhh... this is our favorite. Not because we like people to have poor dental hygiene and gum disease, but because these are very common causes of bad breath and we can usually treat them quite easily. But, it's important that you don't wait too long. Gum disease, which usually starts with poor brushing and flossing habits as well as a lack of routine dental visits, can do much more than make your mouth smell.

In just a short period of time, gum disease can advance and eat away at the gums and bone which hold your teeth in place. The result? Loose, unstable teeth which will eventually be lost if not treated. Catching gum disease early is great as treatment is typically conservative. Wait too long and it gets much more difficult and extensive.

Bad breath is not normal! Seeing your dentist and dental hygienist on a regular basis is your best bet for making sure your teeth and gums stay healthy, your smile stays bright, and your breath doesn't cause others to run in the opposite direction.

If you have any questions about halitosis or any other oral health or dental topic concerning you or someone you care about, please feel free to give our Oxon Hill, MD dentist office a call at 301-567-9844. Drs. Peter and Michelle Merai and our fantastic dental team at Comprehensive Dental Care of Oxon Hillare here to help you. You can also visit our website at http://www.washingtondccosmeticdentists.net.