Posted .

Do you know the cause of your bad breath? If you have bad breath that lasts longer than a few minutes after a meal, then you may be suffering from halitosis. Halitosis, also known as bad breath, can be embarrassing. However, knowing the cause of the problem can help correct the problem. That is why our team here at Dr. Alan J. White, D.D.S. in Staunton, Virginia, is happy to talk to you about halitosis and the possible causes for your condition.

Halitosis can be triggered through multiple means. Some of them include:

-Gum disease: Gum disease is a serious condition that can lead to halitosis, tooth loss, and even bone loss. If you have halitosis or consistent bad breath, you could be suffering from gum disease and need to get it treated and reversed as soon as possible.
-Tobacco: Tobacco is incredibly dangerous to your oral health and overall health and can cause a multitude of problems for you. Tobacco is a natural aggravation to your gums and the bacteria can be sticky, putting your smile at risk for many problems and halitosis concerns.
-Medical conditions: There are many different medical conditions that can prompt halitosis, including medications that prompt this side effect. If you think this could be triggering your halitosis, be sure to tell your dentist, Dr. Alan J. White about any medications you are taking, so you can get the proper treatment you need.
-Bacteria: There are thousands of different forms of bacteria that can live in your teeth and gums without proper care.
-Dry mouth: Dry mouth is a medical condition where your body is not producing enough saliva to wash away bad bacteria or food particles in your mouth. This can cause bad bacteria or foods to linger and become stinky on your breath.
-Food: We all know daily foods like garlic, onions, and other spices can leave our breath a little foul. That is why making sure you wash your mouth out after eating, and brush regularly can help against the war with halitosis from these triggers.

As you can see from above, there are several different reasons halitosis can occur, which is why it is important to receive regular oral health checkups every six months. Having a regular professional dental checkup can eliminate oral health problems like cavities and halitosis, so you can keep your smile in the best oral health condition possible. If you have questions, or would like an appointment, please call us at 540-886-1979, so we can address your concerns and keep your smile clean and fresh.