1) Why it is caused?
Bad smell/odor is also called Halitosis. (Halitophobia – fear of having bad breath)
- Plaque build-up: soft, sticky film on tooth & gum line
- Morning breath: due to food bacteria multiply during sleep
- Foods like garlic, onions, coffee, dairy products, etc
- Improper brushing and not flossing
- Dry mouth: due to a decrease in saliva flow
- Acid reflux like gastritis, heartburn, etc
- Allergies like cold, asthma, tonsillitis sinusitis
- Smoking & alcohol usage
- Gum & ligament problems, dental abscess
2) How to prevent it?
- Proper brushing &flossing
- Tongue scraping
- Adjust &modify diet
- Regular dental visits
- Avoid dry mouth
- Change a toothbrush
- Using interdental brush
- Using fluoride toothpaste
3) When to go for treatment?
- Yellowish or brownish discoloration of teeth- build-up around teeth
- Bleeding, swollen, or redness of gums
- Decrease saliva flow- dry mouth
- Constant sour, bitter metallic taste
- White or yellow coating on the tongue
- Post nasal drip or mucous
- Food lodgement
4) What is the treatment? what happens in treatment?
- Dietary recommendations- increasing zinc-rich foods
- Brushing twice daily with proper brushing technique
- Quitting smoking
- Salt water gargling
- Tongue scraping
- Avoiding foods causing bad breath like onions, garlic, etc
- Interdental & flossing aids
- Avoiding dry mouth
- Scaling: removing calculus & stains on tooth surfaces & polishing
- Using mouthwash prescribed by the dentist
- Treating underlying GI problem
- Rinsing the mouth after every meal
Post-operative care:
Brushing &flossing daily
Periodic check-ups
Controlling &knowing the causes of bad breathing