How Do I Know if It's Halitosis?

HalitosisGood oral health is certainly one of our most prized possessions. A bright, sparkling smile speaks volumes about systemic health, and it helps people feel confident and good about themselves.

However, have you considered what your breath is saying about you and your dental health? Bad breath, clinically termed halitosis, is often a sign that something is wrong. If you or a loved one notices a foul odor frequently coming from your mouth, consult one of the expert and compassionate dentists at Mississaugua Dental Arts. They can assess your bad breath problem and suggest ways to resolve it.

Causes of Halitosis

Day to day living plays a big part in halitosis. When this is the case, the bad breath is easier to correct. For instance, people who eat a lot of aromatic vegetables, such as onions and garlic, have halitosis because the lungs retain the odors and breathe them out with each exhalation. Athletes and people on weight reduction diets may have bad breath because they are not eating or drinking enough, and their mouths are dry. So, better oral hygiene and good hydration helps reduce or eliminate the problem.

Chronic dry mouth is called xerostomia. Certain medical conditions such as COPD and snoring cause xerostomia and its accompanying breath odor. Some medications do, too. Also, halitosis often originates in serious systemic conditions such as:

  • uncontrolled diabetes
  • liver or kidney failure
  • severe diarrhea
  • measles
  • certain STDs
  • gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • smoking and chewing tobacco
  • viral and bacterial sore throats
  • periodontal disease (gum disease)

When a dentist suspects systemic diseases, he or she refers the patient to the primary care physician. However, periodontal disease is within the dentist's scope of practice. Oral bacteria in accumulated plaque and tartar at and below the gum line cause red, swollen, puffy gums. When unchecked, gum and bone recession and tooth loss result. Periodontal disease requires professional cleaning to remove tartar and heal gum pockets.

Resolving Halitosis

Your Mississauga cosmetic dentist recommends several strategies to relieve halitosis. The most important is diligent home hygiene. Brush twice daily, and floss each day to remove plaque and food particles from tooth surfaces and the gums. Gently brush cheeks, roof of the mouth and the tongue, too. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic state that the tongue, with its bumpy, uneven texture, harbors germs and food residues which lead to bad breath. So take extra care to clean it, especially toward the back of the mouth.

Be sure to see one of the dentists at Mississauga Dental Arts for semi-annual cleanings and check-ups. Doctors Raj , Rob, and Ilnaz inspect patients' mouths for signs of decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. A professional cleaning brings teeth back to a tartar-free shine. Sometimes, dentists recommend special mouth rinses to help with stubborn halitosis that is not disease-related.

Contact Mississauga Dental Arts for an Appointment

If you are wondering about halitosis, don't be embarrassed. Contact this award-winning general and cosmetic dentistry practice for an appointment!


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Mississauga Dental Arts

(905) 286-1569

Mississauga, ON Dentist
Mississauga Dental Arts
350 Burnhamthorpe Road East #2
Mississauga, ON L5A 3S5
(905) 286-1569