Bad breath. To some, it\u2019s a joke. To others, it\u2019s an embarrassment or a health problem. Michael E. Michel DDS uncovers the causes of halitosis and delivers solutions.
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Don\u2019t ignore chronic bad breath or halitosis. Aside from the social impact, halitosis could originate in oral and systemic health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Michael E. Michel, Silver Lake dentist, looks for signs of tooth decay and other oral health problems. He also asks his patients about what concerns them. Sometimes a patient complains of stubborn bad breath that seems related to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, sugary foods and starches such as bread and pastas encourage growth of oral bacteria. These active microbes give off Volatile Sulfur Compounds, or VSCs, the rotten egg odor associated with bad breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This kind of bad breath can be controlled with menu changes, smoking cessation and good hydration. But what about halitosis emanating from health-related issues?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bad breath varies with chronic or acute health conditions. For instance, \u201cbrittle\u201d or poorly controlled diabetes causes a fruity breath odor. Kidney failure makes breath smell like urine or ammonia. Mucous from sinusitis or even pneumonia emits a fetid smell when the individual exhales. People with GERD or gastroesophageal reflux may have smelly breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plus, while cancer or Parkinson\u2019s do not cause halitosis, some of the medications used to treat them do. Some psychiatric, hypertension and hayfever\/allergy drugs do, too. Oxygen therapy leads to xerostomia, or dry mouth, in respiratory care patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your Silver Lake family dentist knows ways to alleviate halitosis. For common bad breath, simple habits help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Michel sometimes suggests over the counter mouthwashes to eliminate simple bad breath. Prescription rinses with zinc chloride as an active ingredient combat oral bacteria and the sulfur compounds they emit. Your Silver Lake dentist treats decay and gum disease and refers patients to their primary care physicians if he thinks halitosis stems from a problem such as diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you struggle with bad breath, contact<\/a> the compassionate staff at Michel Dental. They will protect your privacy and get your health and breath on tract for a happier you.