Bad breath can be caused by a variety of different things, from acid reflux and salivary gland stones, to poor oral hygiene, plaque accumulation, tooth decay, and cavities. Though underlying medical conditions can cause bad breath, it is important to first visit your local dentist and determine if poor oral hygiene is the culprit. Patients who typically don’t visit their dentist at least twice a year, don’t adequately brush their teeth everyday, or fail to regularly floss are at an increased risk of developing halitosis or bad breath.
Does a Cavity Smell?
Cavities and decaying teeth can definitely cause an unpleasant odor, especially if left untreated for extended periods of time. This is because the cavities in your teeth can lead to an accumulation of both bacteria and food particles which can slowly break down, leading to unpleasant odors. The bacteria in these cavities can also further break down food particles and lead to bad smells if not fixed by a dental professional.
If you currently have cavities, it is unlikely you can fix the problem at home as they need to be filled in to prevent food particles and bacteria from being trapped in these small pockets.
How Do You Fix Bad Breath From Tooth Decay?
If you’re suffering from tooth decay, your dentist may first recommend a tooth extraction and replacement of the tooth. This can help prevent bacteria from accumulating on a decaying tooth.
After having this procedure performed, there are still quite a few steps required to fix and prevent bad breathe from occurring again. Firstly, proper oral hygiene is a must. This means brushing your teeth at least twice a day, regular flossing, using mouth wash when appropriate, and attending regularly scheduled dental appointments for more thorough dental cleaning. This will help prevent cavities and plaque from forming in the future, and can effectively prevent bad breath from occurring.
Second way to help alleviate bad breath from a decaying tooth is eliminating alcohol and cigarette smoke, as these things can help promote further tooth decay and bacteria accumulation.
And lastly, eating healthy foods that are low in acidity can help preserve the strength and integrity of your teeth, prevent further tooth decay, and effectively eliminate bad breath or halitosis from occurring in the future.
However, if bad breath still persists even after properly taking care of your teeth and gums, it is likely there is an underlying medical condition like gastro-esophageal reflux disease (which involves stomach acid going up form the stomach and into the esophagus) or salivary gland stones (which can cause obstruction of the salivary gland and lead to an accumulation of bacteria). If this is the case, it is important to visit your doctor to create a plan to help treat your underlying disorder which can alleviate any symptoms of bad breath. For more information please contact our dentists in Worcester MA.