Listen to Your Dentist When They Recommend Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Many adults use mouthwash to freshen up their breath in the morning or after they eat a strong meal. The ingredients in mouthwash should eliminate the germs that cause bad breath. But if you experience smelly breath, even after rinsing your mouth, you could have halitosis. Learn more about halitosis and why mouthwash isn't working for you.

What Exactly Is Halitosis?

Halitosis is more than just bad breath. Halitosis is a chronic condition that doesn't go away with traditional or store-bought mouthwash, mints, or other handy over-the-counter treatments. OTC products only make your mouth smell good temporarily. In order to treat halitosis effectively, it's important to learn why you have it.

Many things cause chronic bad breath, including smoking, sinus infections, tooth decay, and even some prescription medications. These things can affect the bacterial growth inside your mouth and throat in different ways. For instance, sinus infections often produce a sticky substance called mucus. As mucus drips down the back of your throat, it encounters bacteria. As bacteria feed on the mucus in your throat, they release powerful chemical odors. The odors can travel back into your oral cavity over time.

If you gargle your throat or rinse your mouth, you may be able to remove some of the germs lurking in your throat and mouth. But unless you control or eliminate the underlying source behind the bacterial growth, you won't be able to get rid of your chronic bad breath.

Can You Cure Halitosis?

You can cure or reduce the effects of halitosis by making a few changes in your diet, lifestyle, and other habits. If you smoke or use tobacco, try to stop doing so. Cigarette smoke and other tobacco ingredients can dry out your mouth, which encourages the growth of bacteria. 

If you have an underlying health condition that affects the saliva and bacterial growth in your mouth, such as diabetes or acid reflux disease, speak to your regular doctor about your bad breath. Your doctor may be able to change your current medications to drugs that don't dry out your mouth or encourage bacteria to grow. 

Finally, see a dentist about halitosis. A dentist can check your teeth, tongue, throat, and sinuses to see if you have anything that encourages chronic bad breath. Some adults suffer from hidden tonsil stones, tooth decay, and gum disease. All of these dental issues can trigger the growth of bacteria in your oral cavity. A dental provider can prescribe treatments that work best for your oral care problem, including antimicrobial mouthwash and dental fillings. 

If you're tired of fighting halitosis and losing, contact a dentist near you for an appointment or visit websites like http://www.accentdentalnwi.com/.