KissMeGoodnight
eLearning Series: Bad Breath
My Breath Stinks!
How to Get Rid of Bad Breath...NOW
( 15 pages )
Getting
to the “Root” of the Bad Breath Problem
Poor
dental hygiene is a major factor for the cause of bad breath.
Yes, you’ve heard it before, brush and floss after every
meal and make regularly trips to your dentist for cleaning
and examination.
But,
how many of us actually follow this regimen. Not enough,
according to the American Dental Association. They report
that periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss
in the United States.
Periodontal
disease actually takes place in two different stages. Gingivitis
is the first stage and only affects the gums. Gingivitis
IS reversible if caught before it moves into the second stage
called periodontitis. Periodontal disease is irreversible,
causing tooth loss and potential bone damage.
We
have already discussed the leading cause of bad breath.
Many of the same causes apply to the risk factors for periodontal
disease such as tobacco and certain drugs.
But there are other factors for periodontal disease which
can also manifest as bad breath. Some of these additional
risk factors are:
- Ill
fitting dentures or bridges
- Teeth
that are crooked
- Old
fillings that no longer fit their cavity
- Pregnancy
The symptoms
of encroaching periodontal disease also closely
mimic some of the same symptoms of bad breath, with bad
breath actually becoming symptomatic with periodontal disease.
Some of these not previously mentioned are:
- Bleeding
gums
- Teeth
that are loose
- Gums
that are swollen and tender
- Changes
in the bite
- Gums
that are receding away from the teeth
- Changes
in prosthetic dentures
Periodontal
disease is nothing more than plaque. While it may sound harmless,
quite the opposite is true. The buildup of this plaque
also causes bad breath. Get rid of the plaque and
you will eliminate the bad breath and reap the benefits of
healthy gums.
Plaque
is the carrier for that sulfur producing bacteria that we
discussed earlier. It creates a sticky film that is always
present in your mouth. When you eat or drink you add to the
buildup of plaque.
Plaque
is a pesky creature that is also a bit shy. He likes to burrow
in and hide just beneath the gum line where he develops a
breeding ground for more of his bacterial friends. You can
smell them, but it can be difficult to even know that plaque
is hiding away and doing its damage.
This
is why regular brushing and flossing is so important. You
need to ferret out the problem and deal with it. It’s an
ongoing process and you’ll NEVER be rid of it as long as
you like to eat, drink and oh yes, live! You must brush at
least twice a day to remove all traces of bits of food and
plaque. Don’t forget to brush the gums as well!
Yes,
you should brush after every meal, but if it isn’t possible
and you don’t wish to brush after having a meal out at a
restaurant, excuse yourself, visit the restroom and at least
rinse your mouth well. This practice will go a long way toward
healthy gums as well as reducing bad breath resulting from
the bacteria remaining in the small bits of food.
You
must floss every day taking care to reach every hidden
scrap between the teeth.
Brush
your tongue daily. Ugh! A nasty tongue has to be one of the
worse offenders for bad breath. Did you know that the ancient
Romans brushed their tongues daily? Amazing, isn’t it, how
some practices come full circle.
Using
your soft bristled brush, brush the tongue gently, taking
care not to gag yourself. Do try and reach as far back as
comfortable to remove as much of the offending buildup as
you can. It’s in that region toward the back of the tongue
that produces the majority of the bad breath.
 
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