When Your Body Attacks Your Teeth: Combating Autoimmune Dental Problems

Do You Suffer From Stubborn Bad Breath That Won't Go Away No Matter How Much You Brush And Floss? It May Have A Different Cause

Are you suffering from frequent bad breath no matter how much you brush and floss? If these don't seem to help your chronic bad breath, it may have a different cause. While brushing and flossing are important for maintaining your dental health, bad breath can be caused by other issues that can't be fixed through good oral hygiene. If you have stubborn bad breath that just won't go away, here are some of the potential causes.

Gum Disease and Cavities

Bad breath is one sign that you may have gum disease or cavities. Cavities provide a place for odor-causing bacteria to hide, while gum disease itself is caused by a bacterial infection. The overgrowth of bacteria in your mouth causes rotten odors. For many people, bad breath is the first sign of a dental health issue — it's important to schedule checkups and cleanings with your dentist twice a year to maintain your dental health. If you think your bad breath may be caused by gum disease or cavities, see a dentist for an examination so the problem can be treated.

Dry Mouth

A common cause of bad breath is chronic dry mouth, wherein your body doesn't produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moistened. Saliva is important for your dental health — it constantly rinses your mouth throughout the day, removing food particles and bacteria. When these are left in your mouth, they begin to break down and emit foul odors.

Some causes of dry mouth are smoking, stress or medication that you are taking. Dentists offer several options to treat dry mouth. Artificial saliva is a spray or gel that you regularly use throughout the day to keep your mouth moist. Your dentist can also prescribe medication that increases the rate at which you produce saliva.

Frequent Mouthwash Use

If you're frequently using mouthwash to mask your bad breath, you may be making the problem worse! Alcohol-based mouthwash dries out your mouth, causing the lack of saliva that causes bad breath. Mouthwash use also kills all the bacteria in your mouth — and this includes the good bacteria that fight off the bacteria responsible for bad breath. Instead of masking the problem with mouthwash, mint or gum, it's better to see a dentist and determine the cause of your bad breath.

Tobacco Use

Chewing tobacco, cigarettes and cigars will all contribute to bad breath. When you smoke tobacco, some of the smoke will stick to your teeth and gums. Remnants of chewing tobacco will also remain in your mouth after use. Both of these will cause a foul odor. In addition, tobacco use is also linked to other causes of bad breath such as dry mouth and gum disease. If you'd like to quit, ask your dentist or primary care physician for information on tobacco cessation programs and products.

Since bad breath can be caused by a variety of dental issues, it's important to see your dentist to determine the true cause of the problem in order to successfully treat it. If it's caused by gum disease or cavities, catching them early can save them from developing into more serious problems later.