Your Dentist in Southlake Says Pay Attention to Bad Breath

Bad breath — there’s nothing pleasant about it. It can harm your interpersonal relationships and take away from your success at work, not to mention just making you feel self-conscious throughout the day. If you struggle with the chronic condition we also call halitosis, your holistic dentist in Southlake wants you to pay attention. Bad breath can indicate the presence of serious underlying health issues, which we’ve made the focus of this week’s blog post.

Bad Breath and Your Health

We all experience a less-than-fresh mouth after eating something garlicky or heavily spiced — but when your bad breath is a chronic, persistent problem that is not improved by brushing and flossing, that may indicate a serious problem. Halitosis is a side effect of the following diseases.

Gastrointestinal Issues

While most mouth odors begin in or around the oral cavity, your breath is influenced by the gases and particles in your stomach. If you have gastrointestinal problems, like an infection in the lining of your stomach, it may make itself known first by bad breath. A condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GORD, has also been linked to bad breath.

Gum Disease

Persistent bad breath is a common indicator of gum disease, a chronic infection in your periodontal tissue caused by bacteria that live in deep pockets between your teeth and gums. It is estimated that half of American adults have some level of gum disease, which also causes bleeding, swollen, tender gums and eventually results in tooth loss and a number of health problems if left untreated. Because diabetes and gum disease often occur together, the presence of bad breath may also indicate high blood glucose levels.

Post Nasal Drip

Another common cause of bad breath is post nasal drip, or the excretion of mucus from your nose and throat. Bacteria loves these secretions — and with all that bacteria hanging around the mucus, the smell isn’t pleasant. Eating dairy products can make the mucus thicker and worsen the effects of bad breath if you have sinus issues or post nasal drip.

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, which live at the back of the throat. Because breath travels from your lungs past the tonsils, infection here can heavily influence the way your breath smells. Symptoms of tonsillitis include pain in the throat, difficulty swallowing, and other often uncomfortable issues.

What to Do About Bad Breath?

Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your dentist in Southlake if you struggle with chronic bad breath. Because the odor is often caused by poor oral hygiene, you may just need a simple checkup and cleaning along with better brushing and flossing at home. Your dentist will determine whether or not that is your issue and make a recommendation to help you get the care you need if not.

About the Author

Dr. Preetha Thomas is a trusted holistic dentist providing comprehensive dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more about her care or to schedule an appointment with your family dentist in Southlake, you are invited to contact the office at 817-912-1218.