Social embarrassments come in many sizes. But chronic bad breath is near the top of the list. It affects those nearest and dearest to us and may limit the close social contacts we treasure most.
Worse yet, a person with bad breath may be unaware he’s offensive—we “turn off” our sensitivity to bad odors over time.
Bacteria, plain and simple, are the culprit. Bacteria do their work in the mouth, lungs, sinuses and stomach. All the store-bought fresheners on the market won’t remedy the cause. But given your diet and medical history, we can help diagnose the source.
Gum disease, because it’s so prevalent, is the first place we look. Plaque—and its Mother Lode of bacteria—is a common cause of gum disease. A periodontal check-up is called for. With a thorough hygiene program, we can control gum problems and this particularly nasty side effect.
Less-than-pristine dentures are also a source of odor. If slipshod cleaning is combined with dry mouth syndrome—and lots of older people are prone to reduced saliva flow—you’ve got double trouble. Ask us about denture care and saliva substitutes to freshen and cleanse your mouth.
Are you a mouth-breather? More dry mouth, more bad breath.
Brush your tongue. One study estimates 70% of oral bacteria can be eliminated by brushing your tongue with a soft brush every day.
And, of course, there’s tooth decay. We can fix that.
When you are concerned about your breath—or how to broach the subject with someone you care for—please give us a call. We’ll isolate any oral causes, or refer you to your physician.
