What Your Bad Breath Could Be Telling You
Are you self-conscious when you speak in close proximity to others? Do you find yourself keeping your distance from others due to concerns over your breath? Everyone experiences bad breath from time to time. Whether you finish a big cup of coffee or enjoy a meal filled with garlic, it is normal to be on the hunt for a mint or some mouthwash to combat the smell of your breath. After a thorough cleaning of your teeth, including brushing and flossing, your breath will be fresh once again. However, if you experience frequent bouts of bad breath, you may be experiencing a bigger problem with your oral health. Read on to learn what conditions you may be experiencing.
What Causes Bad Breath?
While we know that certain foods such as coffee, onions and garlic can cause bad breath, there are other lifestyle choices and conditions that can lead to bad breath. Bad breath can be caused by:
Smoking and Tobacco Products
We know that smoking and tobacco products can lead to big problems with your overall health. It can also lead to severe staining of the teeth and greatly increases your risk of developing oral cancer. Repeated use of these products can also lead to frequent bad breath. Because these products can also interfere with your sense of smell, at times it can be difficult to know how bad your breath is.
Tooth Decay
When a buildup of bacteria causes tooth decay, it can lead to bad breath. This is typically seen when decay is not treated in a timely fashion and is allowed to grow and become more severe.
Gum Disease
Frequent bad breath is one of the few warning signs that indicate gum disease. When bacteria builds up and creates plaque along the gumline, it can lead to bad breath and is a warning sign that you might be in the advanced stages of the disease.
If you are located in the Fort Lee, NJ area and are experiencing bad breath, we suggest that you make an appointment as soon as possible to rule out any concerns mentioned above. We look forward to helping you fix your oral health.
