We are all familiar with bad breath, usually in the morning! However, it can sometimes be embarrassing for this to happen throughout the day and may require us to be conscious about it.
In most cases, we can prevent bad breath by practicing good oral care. However, sometimes bad breath can be caused by conditions related to poor dental hygiene, such as dry mouth problems.
The good news is that; whatever the reason. You can take steps to detect and treat dry mouth and bad breath and prevent these problems from recurring.
What Causes Dry Mouth?
Not sure what a dry mouth is or what causes it? Persistent dryness in your mouth can be due to a variety of reasons. Minor illnesses such as vomiting, mild dehydration, or the flu can cause temporary dry mouth. In some cases, dry mouth can be a symptom of a medical condition such as diabetes. Dry mouth can also be a side effect of some medications. In addition, radiotherapy applied to the head and neck can also cause dry mouth.
What are the Causes of Bad Breath?
Now that you know what can cause dry mouth, you may be wondering why dry mouth causes bad breath. Interestingly, the drug does not directly cause bad breath. Chemicals in medication that prevent your salivary glands from producing saliva. Saliva keeps the mouth moist, removes food particles from your teeth and gums, and can help fight tooth decay. Without enough saliva to perform these tasks, the increased presence of bacteria in your mouth combined with dry mouth tissues produces the odor associated with bad breath from dry mouth.
How Do You Diagnose Dry Mouth?
Understanding the true cause of dry mouth is important and will help your doctor find the appropriate treatment. Most dentists can quickly determine whether the cause is related to your oral health or something else. If your dentist diagnoses periodontal disease or caries, they can help you resolve these issues. However, if medication for another medical condition is causing your dry mouth, you may need the care of a doctor or specialist to diagnose and resolve the problem.
What is Dry Mouth Treatment?
Even with dry mouth, there are ways to target the symptoms. Initially, your doctor will likely recommend treatment to manage your symptoms, ranging from dental sores to bad breath. At the same time, your doctor will look for the cause of your dry mouth and run tests for any medical conditions.
Prevention
Of course, you can find ways to prevent bad breath, even before you get to the point of treatment. If you think your medication alternatives are limited, or if you have one of the medical conditions that cause dry mouth, the best method of preventing bad breath due to dry mouth is to maintain a high level of oral hygiene to control bacteria and prevent bad breath from developing. You can also ask your doctor to recommend products specifically formulated to target dry mouth symptoms and avoid habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol or caffeine.
It’s also important to maintain your stress levels and maintain your overall health. Taking the time to take care of yourself is the first step towards better oral hygiene and breathing.
