What causes bad breath? If you, or a loved one has bad breath that just won’t go away, you may be dealing with halitosis. So, what causes it and how can you treat it? Stick around to find out.
What is Halitosis?
Halitosis, or bad breath, is typically caused by sulfur-producing bacteria. These bacteria live on the surface of the tongue and in the throat. Sometimes, they start to break down protein at a very fast rate, creating odorous volatile sulfur compounds (VSC).
Halitosis is not contagious. Around 2.4% of adults suffer from bad breath, but fortunately, there are ways to treat this condition. But first, let’s talk about what causes it.
What causes bad breath?
Other than the sulfur-producing bacteria, the other major causes of halitosis are:
- Dry mouth- caused by alcohol, stress, medications, and medical conditions
- Dental factors like periodontitis or poor oral hygiene
- Smoking, which starves the mouth of oxygen.
Other less common causes include:
- Acid and bile reflux
- Post-nasal discharge
- Kidney failure, various carcinomas, metabolic dysfunctions, and biochemical disorders.
- Certain foods like onions, garlic, and cauliflower. However, this is temporary.
Symptoms of Halitosis
- A white coating on the tongue, especially at the back
- Build up around the teeth
- Dry mouth
- Morning bad breath
- Constant sour, bitter metallic taste
- Post-nasal drip, or mucous
- Thick saliva and a constant need to clear your throat
Treatments for Bad Breath
There is no one treatment, it will depend on what is causing your bad breath. A good first step is to make sure you are well hydrated and maintain good oral hygiene. Additionally, some mouthwashes, lozenges and toothpastes can help fight bad breath.
Another important action is to clean the tongue. Gentle, but effective tongue cleaning can help fight bacteria growth. Many tongue brushes and scrapers are available. Brush gently from the back to the front of the tongue and pay special attention to the hard-to-reach areas, as those will smell the worst.
When to Get Help for Bad Breath
If at home treatments aren’t working, it may be time to speak to your dentist about your bad breath. To schedule an appointment, please contact Hackley DDS today.
Ni nini husababisha pumzi mbaya? Ikiwa wewe, au mtu unayempenda ana pumzi mbaya ambayo haitaki kutoweka, huenda ukawa na ugonjwa wa pumzi mbaya. Ni nini kinachosababisha ugonjwa huo na unawezaje kuuponya? Kaa karibu ili uone. Halitosis ni nini? Kwa kawaida, ugonjwa wa kupumua vibaya husababishwa na bakteria zinazozalisha sulfuri. Bakteria hizo huishi kwenye ulimi na koo. Wakati mwingine, huanza kuvunja protini kwa kasi sana, na kutokeza kemikali zenye harufu mbaya za sulfuri (VSC). Halitosis si ya kuambukiza. Karibu asilimia 2.4 ya watu wazima wanaugua harufu mbaya ya mdomo, lakini kuna njia za kutibu hali hii. Lakini kwanza, hebu tuzungumze juu ya nini husababisha hilo. Ni nini husababisha pumzi mbaya? Mbali na bakteria zinazozalisha sulfuri, sababu nyingine kuu za halitosis ni: - Kifo cha mdomo - kinachosababishwa na pombe, mkazo, dawa, na hali za matibabu - Mambo ya meno kama ugonjwa wa meno au usafi mbaya wa mdomo - Uvutaji sigara, ambao hupunguza oksijeni katika mdomo. Sababu nyingine zisizo za kawaida ni pamoja na: - Asidi na bile reflux - Post-nasal discharge - Kidney kushindwa, carcinomas mbalimbali, metabolic dysfunctions, na matatizo ya biochemical. - Vyakula fulani kama vile vitunguu, vitunguu, na kabichi. Hata hivyo, hilo ni la muda tu. Halitosis - Mzunguko mweupe kwenye ulimi, hasa nyuma - Kujenga karibu na meno - Kinywa kavu - Pumzi mbaya ya asubuhi - Ladha ya chuma ya uchungu, chungu - Drip ya baada ya pua, au mucous - Saliva nzito na haja ya daima ya kusafisha koo yako Matibabu ya pumzi mbaya Hakuna matibabu moja, itategemea nini kinachosababisha pumzi yako mbaya. Hatua ya kwanza ni kuhakikisha kwamba una maji mengi na unashikilia usafi mzuri wa mdomo. Kwa kuongezea, baadhi ya dawa za kuosha kinywa, dawa za kuosha meno, na dawa za meno zaweza kusaidia kupambana na pumzi mbaya. Jambo jingine muhimu ni kusafisha ulimi. Kusafisha ulimi kwa upole lakini kwa matokeo kunaweza kusaidia kupambana na ukuzi wa bakteria. Kuna brashi na vifaa vingi vya kuondoa ulimi. Fua kwa upole kutoka nyuma hadi mbele ya ulimi na uangalie hasa maeneo magumu kufikia, kwani hayo yatakuwa na harufu mbaya zaidi. Wakati wa Kupata Msaada kwa Kuhusu Pumzi Mbaya Ikiwa matibabu ya nyumbani hayafanyi kazi, huenda ikawa wakati wa kuzungumza na daktari wako wa meno kuhusu pumzi mbaya. Ili kupanga tarehe ya kukutana, tafadhali wasiliana na Hackley DDS leo.