{"id":227,"date":"2018-10-01T16:04:17","date_gmt":"2018-10-01T16:04:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patrickcrowleydds.com\/blog\/?p=227"},"modified":"2018-10-19T16:04:28","modified_gmt":"2018-10-19T16:04:28","slug":"dentist-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patrickcrowleydds.com\/blog\/2018\/10\/01\/dentist-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do I Have Bad Breath? Your Dentist Provides the Top 4 Reasons!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"womanWhen you\u2019re involved in a conversation with a person, the last thing you want to happen is to offend him or her with the smell of your breath. If this has become something you frequently have to worry about, your dentist says it could be a sign of a greater issue. As you continue reading, your dentist reveals the top 4 reasons for this problem so you can prevent<\/a> serious oral health issues from arising or an existing condition from getting worse.<\/p>\n

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Reason #1 \u2013 Gum Disease<\/h2>\n

Gum disease is a condition that develops when bacteria are allowed to grow, and oral care is neglected. It starts as gingivitis \u2013 the inflammation of the gums, and if not addressed, it will progress to more advanced forms that can lead to tooth loss and can even contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries.<\/p>\n

One of the initial warning signs of gum disease is bad breath, which should not be ignored.<\/p>\n

Reason #2 \u2013 Oral Infection<\/h2>\n

If you have a viral illness, it can contribute to you developing an oral infection, which results from an overgrowth of yeast in the mouth. One of the signs of a problem is the foul smell that is produced.<\/p>\n

The first step to take is to visit your general practitioner to be examined and diagnosed so you can treat the illness. Then, your dentist can address any effects the illness has on your oral health.<\/p>\n

Reason #3 \u2013 Diabetes<\/h2>\n

People who have diabetes are more prone to developing gum disease and experiencing bad breath. If you have lingering oral odors, you should schedule a visit to your doctor to have tests run to make sure you don\u2019t have diabetes.<\/p>\n

Then, by visiting your dentist for preventive care, you can also find out whether you have gum disease and receive the treatment you need.<\/p>\n

Reason #4 \u2013 Dry Mouth<\/h2>\n

Another contributor to bad breath can be a condition called dry mouth. This can be brought on by taking certain medications. The lack of proper moisture creates the perfect environment for bacteria growth, which then leads to bad breath.<\/p>\n

With the combined help of your physician and dentist, the right solutions can be found.<\/p>\n

What Can Your Dentist Do for You?<\/h2>\n

Given that bad breath is often related to bacteria growth, your dentist provides the following treatment options:<\/p>\n