Saturday, February 1, 2014

Are People Running the Other Way When You Open Your Mouth?

If people have been covering their noses or turning the other way when you talk, it could be time to schedule an appointment with your Glendale Dentist, Dr. Kenneth Bogdon.

Bad breath, or halitosis, is something that more than 80 million people deal with, and that is just in the United States alone. Bacteria that originate usually cause chronic bad breath from your tongue and gums, with poor oral hygiene being the pain culprit.

According to your Dentist in Glendale, bad breath could be caused from physical problems such as kidney failure, diabetes, or liver malfunction. If you smoke or drink alcohol, you could be contributing to the problem. Eating spicy or odorous foods like onions and garlic could also be causing your halitosis. Spicy foods can be detected on your breath even after it is digested. Onions can actually be absorbed and extracted through the lungs and skin. 
Discovering where the odor is coming from is something that your Glendale Dentist will look for during a dental checkup. If you are undergoing any kind of cancer treatment where dry mouth is an issue that could be part of the problem. According to your Dentist in Glendale, excessive dieting, hormonal changes, age, and snoring could affect the way your breath smells.

When it comes to halitosis, saliva is the key as it helps to wash away bacteria and food particles. Morning breath is caused by the slowing down of your salivary glands creating that lovely smell that is usually present when you get out of bed in the morning. You can get rid of morning breath by brushing your teeth as soon as you get up followed by a good breakfast. If you are in the habit of skipping breakfast, your morning breath could suddenly reappear, even after you have brushed.

If you are in good physical health, but still suffer from halitosis, schedule an appointment with your Glendale Dentist who will be able to determine if your bad breath is caused by poor oral hygiene. If that is the case, Dr. Bogdon may schedule a deep cleaning that includes scaling and planing.

Oral health begins at home, and that means brushing twice and flossing once a day. Rinse your mouth after you eat and don’t forget to clean your tongue after you brush your teeth with a tongue scraper or your toothbrush. Chewing sugarless gum can also help with halitosis.

The best defense against bad breath is oral health, and that includes regular checkups with your Dentist in Glendale. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Bogden today.