Dr. John Varoscak
Schedule a
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Dr. Varoscak
NJ Specialty
Permit
No. 030026 |
Bad Breath
Chronic bad
breath is a major social problem for many people. The
causes are not always the same. Bad breath can be a local
phenomena or a sign of something more systemic or serious.
Here are some of the reasons a person has chronic bad breath:
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Poor oral
hygiene. If you do not brush your teeth effectively
twice a day, you probably suffer from some degree of bad
breath. The more intense bad breath may be coming
from food particles breaking down between your teeth.
The solution is daily flossing. Ever notice how a
piece of meat stuck between your teeth for some time
tastes awful. Guess what…it smells awful to others,
too. |
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Sometimes
habitually poor oral hygiene may cause periodontal
disease. When this happens, bone is lost around
teeth, which results in pocket formation. The food
and bacteria that accumulate in these pockets breakdown
and smell. The smell is coming from sulfur compounds
known as Hydrogen Sulfide and Mercaptan. They occur
when amino acids from the foods you eat break down during
the oral digestion process. |
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Other times
the sulfur compounds are originating from the back of the
tongue. To clean this area of foul smelling bacteria, patients
should brush the sides and back of their tongues daily. You can
also use instruments called tongue scrapers to do the job.
Often, a simple spoon can be used to scrape the posterior
tongue. |
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Certain foods
such as garlic and onions can cause mouth odor. When they are
digested, get into the blood stream, and are carried to the
lungs, they are exchanged as gases during exhaling. The result
is odor. Other foods may affect individuals differently when it
comes to odor. Keep a log of what you eat prior to noticing any
chronic odor that seems to be coming from your lungs. |
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Other more
serious conditions can result in mouth odor upon exhaling.
These include chronic sinus infections, lung infection,
alcoholism, kidney problems, stomach problems, and
gastrointestinal problems. Consult your physician if all other
dental remedies fail. |
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Tobacco and
tobacco products are notorious for producing mouth odor. It
originates from the oral cavity and the lungs. The only
solution is to stop smoking. No mouthwash can effectively mask
bad breath from smoking. |
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Certain
vitamins, hormone therapy and medications can cause bad breath.
Consult your physician if these are suspect. |
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The bottom
line for most bad breath is poor oral hygiene and periodontal
disease. As a first step, you should consult with your
Periodontist in order to see if periodontal disease is the
primary cause of your bad breath. |
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