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Posted on 7/23/2019 by Dick Hikade, DDS |
 If someone tells you that your breath smells, you may quickly go and try to grab a mint to cover up the smell. That may or may not resolve the problem. It might provide you with only temporary relief. It is important to not only provide the temporary fix, but to also determine the cause of the bad breath. The reasons could be as simple as something you ate, or it could come from something more complicated like your tongue. If it is your tongue, you need to understand why that is the case and what you can do about it. A Cause for Bad BreathIt is true that the food you eat and habits such as smoking can contribute to bad breath, but there is another cause for bad breath that many may not think about. Bacteria in the mouth can cause bad breath. It is normal for bacteria to grow in the mouth.The bacteria that grow on the teeth can turn into plaque and can lead to problems with tooth decay and gum disease. Good oral hygiene habits can help remove the bacteria and can help keep your breath smelling fresh. The problem is that many people forget about the bacteria that grow on their tongue. These need cleaning in the same way the bacteria on the teeth do. If you do not brush and clean your tongue as part of your oral hygiene routine, you could struggle with bad breath. The White TongueOne way to check to see if you have bad breath is to look at your tongue in the mirror. White tongue comes from an overgrowth of the papillae on the tongue. Bacteria can lodge itself in between the papillae and cause a white film on the surface of the tongue. The bacteria in the film cause the bad breath.The way to prevent the tongue from causing bad breath is to clean it as part of your regular routine. It will not only help your breath, but it can help your overall oral health. For more information about this or any other oral health issue, contact our office to schedule an appointment. |
