Maybe your perfect date ended abruptly at the first kiss. Perhaps your best friend recoiled when you leaned close to whisper a private comment. That’s when you realize that your bad breath is worse than you realized. Now your top priority is figuring out what caused it and finding an effective treatment. Where should you turn? If you are in or near Beverly Hills, CA the answer is Dr. Sanda Moldovan. As a Periodontist and Nutritionist, she is an expert in two of the most common causes of bad breath.
Bad breath explained
Known medically as halitosis, bad breath is a common problem affecting an estimated 25 million Americans. Wearing a mask during COVID-19 times actually increases bad breath. Where does the odor come from? There are two possible sources:
- Mouth – Odors originating from the mouth are usually associated with bacteria. These microorganisms release stinky VSCs (volatile sulfur compounds) into your mouth, which mix with breath when you exhale.
- Lungs – Sometimes the smell is present before breath reaches the mouth. These odors are generally caused by chemicals released from the bloodstream to the lungs, as part of the body’s natural waste elimination processes.
- Stomach – chronic conditions like SIBO and constipation can result in bad breath
How your diet affects your breath
We all know that fried onions for lunch can be a recipe for bad breath all day. This type of halitosis is harmless and temporary. Brushing and flossing well after a pungent meal can help, because part of the problem may be lingering food particles. However, when you digest foods such as onions or garlic, the odor-causing compounds enter your bloodstream, only to be expelled via the lungs. The smell continues until it works out of your system.
Another, lesser-known dietary cause of halitosis is not attributed to a specific food, but rather your overall nutritional choices. Weight loss has a plethora of benefits, but it can have the very unpleasant side effect of bad breath. Specifically, this is a common issue for those on low carb diet plans. Ketosis (fat burning) releases smelly ketones in several ways, including via the lungs and saliva.
Oral health
Here’s the bad news: there are billions of bacteria in your mouth. The good news is that many of them are helpful, and some help keep odor-causing varieties in check. If your mouth is healthy and clean, there won’t be enough problematic bacteria to cause bad breath, but there will be a few. They can multiply quickly, so bad breath can crop up when you haven’t brushed in a while. If it happens too quickly and frequently, or if cleaning your teeth doesn’t clear up the problem, there are a few possible reasons:
- Ineffective hygiene – Crowded teeth, fixed orthodontic braces, and other conditions can make brushing difficult. You might not be getting all the plaque and bacteria.
- Decay – Tooth cavities are home to thriving colonies of bacteria.
- Dry mouth – A healthy salivary flow is essential for maintaining a healthy oral environment. Many health conditions or side effects of medication can contribute to dry mouth syndrome.
- Periodontal disease – This is one of the most common reasons for chronic bad breath, and it also has potentially devastating health implications. Periodontal disease begins with plaque along the gumline, leading to tissue inflammation, and then progressing to chronic infection. Because the bacteria colonize below the gumline and in soft tissue, you can’t remove them by brushing. Besides emitting a foul odor, this type of infection can destroy ligaments and bone that support your teeth. Furthermore, gum disease has been linked to heart failure and many other serious health conditions.
Finding the right treatment
As you can see, breath mints might mask the odor temporarily, but they aren’t likely to cure bad breath. Orasana Probiotic Mints may help you turn around bad breath. An effective solution begins with an accurate diagnosis. From gum disease treatment to nutritional guidance, you can count on Dr. Sanda Moldovan for a solution that leaves you smiling. Call us at (310) 692-7855 to schedule an appointment.