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Mouth Odor
Whether you call it bad breath or halitosis, mouth odor affects all of us at one time or another.
"About 85 to 90 percent of bad breath cases are related to an oral problem," says Fariba S. Younai, D.D.S., of the UCLA Oral Medicine and Fresh Breath Faculty Practice in Los Angeles, California. While another 8 percent to 10 percent of cases may be caused by chronic postnasal drip, one to two percent may be related to gastrointestinal or other systemic problems.
According to Dr. Younai, oral reasons for mouth odor may include "gum disease, broken down teeth and decay, prosthetic devices that are ill-fitting or that cause food accumulation in hard-to-clean areas." Perhaps the most common culprits of mouth odor are "dental plaque and food debris. These allow bacterial growth and putrefaction that can cause bad breath," Dr. Younai explains. "Bad breath results from volatile sulfur containing gases (VSCs) that are produced by bacteria. Excessive oral dryness or dry mouth," she adds, "can also play a major role."
Smoking--even lightly--can also worsen mouth odor. Many smokers who manage to quit find that their breath is considerably fresher after only a few days without cigarettes. Warning: smoking and other tobacco use are associated with most cases of oral cancer. The pioneering psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, a heavy cigar smoker, died of oral cancer.
An easy way to manage mild mouth odor is to brush and floss your teeth after every meal or snack to remove food particles that can generate bacteria. After brushing and flossing, also rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash. (Ask your doctor to recommend one.)
If you think that you have a chronic problem with bad breath, Dr. Younai advises, "Get an evaluation first. If you are diagnosed with the condition, and all the other medical possibilities have been eliminated, then appropriate products will be recommended for you." These may include prescription antibacterial mouth rinses. Dr. Younai says that one of the best therapies for mouth odor is to "eliminate places where bacteria can thrive, such as periodontal pockets in the case of gum disease, a decayed tooth, a food trap, or tongue plaque." It's also important to use "an antibacterial agent that prevents formation of new bacterial colonies."
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