Bad Breath: What It Can Mean And What You Can Do About It
If you start to notice people backing away from you or if someone is honest enough to suggest you eat a mint or brush your teeth, then you will of course want to do so and hope that the problem goes away. If the bad breath was caused by something you recently consumed, then this can happen. However, if the bad breath keeps returning then there is another cause for it. You can learn about some of the causes here, as well as some of the things you can do to try to treat the underlying issue:
You may have intestinal issues
There may actually be a medical reason why you are suddenly finding yourself dealing with less-than-pleasant smelling breath. If you have certain stomach problems, then they can cause a rancid smell to make its way into your mouth. Also, you may have a problem with acid reflux that can lead to bad breath. Acid reflux is also a condition that can eventually cause tooth erosion because the acids that make their way in your mouth will eat away at the enamel.
You may have a bad tooth
If you have a tooth that has a bad cavity or that's completely decaying then it can have a pretty big effect on your breath. Not only can pieces of food get stuck in the tooth and start to cause a smell, but the tooth itself can develop a bad smell to it. The tooth may even be infected which will cause its own bad smell. You should get your tooth taken care of for the obvious reasons, including the fact that it can eventually lead to health problems. However, an extra added bonus of having the tooth taken care of will be improved breath. You also won't have to worry about the possibility of eventually needing to have the tooth pulled and then replaced.
You may have gingivitis
One of the first signs that you have gingivitis can be the sudden appearance of bad breath. Gingivitis is easily treatable with the help of your dentist as long as you seek their help right away. So, if you think this may be the cause of your bad breath you don't want to put off getting in to see them. Gingivitis left untreated will end up being gum disease which is a far more serious condition that can lead to tooth loss and many other issues.
Call a dental office like Thornley Dental for more information about bad breath treatments.