There are few things that leave as much of a lasting impression as when we are in close proximity with someone who has bad breath. From thence forward, this encounter tends to place a negative label on them. And, it can make you always feel a little embarrassed for them.
In a nutshell, bad breath occurs from accumulated oral bacteria. Bacteria are living organisms that thrive on food particles in the mouth and stuck between teeth. As bacteria reproduce and amass, they form a sticky film known as plaque that coats the teeth and gums. If not removed through brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar. This a cement-like attachment on the base of and between teeth. These chunks of bacteria attack tender gum tissues.
As oral bacteria growth progresses, the gums become inflamed. They become sore and bleed easily when brushing. An early symptom of gum disease is persistent bad breath. Brushing, chewing gum and using breath mints will mask it for very brief periods. However, the odor persists until the inflammation has been resolved.
Dry mouth is another factor when it comes to bad breath. Saliva is the mouth’s natural rinsing agent and washes bacteria away on a continual basis. Without sufficient saliva flow, oral bacteria are able to reproduce at a more rapid rate.
Causes for dry mouth include smoking, certain medications, some health conditions, and breathing through the mouth (including snoring). Consuming alcohol and caffeinated beverages also have drying effects on oral tissues.
While dry mouth is not part of the aging process itself, aging does bring about many conditions that affect saliva production. For example, dry mouth can occur from an increase in the number of medications that older adults take, many of which have side effects of oral dryness.
According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 83% of U.S. adults in their 60s and 70s had used at least one prescription drug in the previous 30 days and about one-third used five or more prescription drugs. The most commonly used drugs were cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes medications.
https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/dangers-polypharmacy-and-case-deprescribing-older-adults
Too, for older adults who wear dentures or partials, the gum-colored base that holds the teeth is typically made from a porous material. This means that bacteria can embed in the tiny holes that exist on the surface. Their presence and accumulation is a common cause of bad breath. This is why it is so important to keep these oral appliances clean, using a soaking cleanser every day.
Keeping your breath fresh actually requires simple steps that take just minutes a day with a cost of pennies. Tips for a healthier mouth and fresher breath are:
– Brush at least twice a day for at least two minutes each time, using a fluoridated toothpaste.
– After brushing teeth, brush your tongue with your toothbrush. Some toothbrushes have a surface for this on the back side of the bristles. Be sure to reach the back portion of your tongue, where most bacteria are embedded. Your gag reflex will tell you when you’ve gone far enough.
– Floss daily to remove food particles caught between teeth that a toothbrush can’t dislodge. To use a comfortable, effective technique, watch a brief video at: Flossing Made Simple. Or, consider purchasing a water flosser. These are easy to use and can be just as effective as manual flossing.
– Rinse and gargle with an alcohol-free mouthwash before bed.
– If you have a persistent dry mouth, drink plenty of water throughout the day and use moisturizing rinses, sprays, or dry mouth moisturizing gels.
– Avoid smoking tobacco and chewing tobacco-based products.
– Swish water after drinking coffee, tea, cola, and alcoholic beverages.
– Be committed to your 6-month dental hygiene appointments. These periodic cleanings are opportunities to remove built up tartar and help your at-home oral hygiene upkeep to be more effective in controlling bacteria.
If you’ve delayed or avoided having regular dental visits, we encourage you to begin with a free consultation appointment. In our Shelby Township dental office, we make patient comfort a priority and treat each patient with respect and compassion. To schedule, call 586-739-2155 or tap HERE.
If fear or anxiety has kept you from having regular dental care, please know we have a long-standing reputation for making comfort a priority, at every visit. If desired, we can add oral or I.V. sedation (sleep dentistry) into your treatment.
You may also like to tour our office through a brief video at: DrBarbatOfficeTour
