I have bad breath

Question:

I am suffering from bad breath for long time. Please give me suggestions.  Thank.

Answer:

Bad breath can come from many sources.  For starters, it comes from poor oral hygiene.  If you fail to brush after each meal and floss at least once a day, bacteria will begin to accumulate in your mouth, especially in those hard to reach areas.  This can include between the teeth or even on the back of the tongue.  Bacteria give off by-products that leave a stench.  Therefore the more bacteria you have in your mouth, the higher of a chance for bad breath.

Another reason could stem from your diet.  If you have a diet that’s low in carbohydrates, you are more likely to have bad breath.  Having a balanced diet that contains plenty of water is essential to great breath.

Some cures to bad breath include

• Occasionally chewing on sugar-free gum, that preferably contains Xylitol (see our article here), throughout the day
• Occasionally consuming sugar free mints throughout the day to stimulate salivary flow, thus cleansing the mouth of bacteria
• Maintaining good oral health (see our articles on Brushing and Flossing)
• Be sure to clean the tongue daily, with either a tongue scraper or the bristles of your toothbrush.

Hope these tips help out and good luck,

SaveMySmile Team

What is Burning Mouth Syndrome?

What is Burning Mouth Syndrome?

Burning Mouth Syndrome is a condition in which the tongue and inside of the mouth experience a persistent burning, and sometimes painful, sensation.  This condition affects 2-3% of the general population and 14% of post menopausal women.

Signs of Burning Mouth Syndrome

Most symptoms appear spontaneously and usually start on the tip of the tongue.

Symptoms include:

• Burning sensation on tongue
• Burning sensation on inside of cheek
• Burning/pain has been reported to start in the morning and gradually increase as the day progresses
• Tongue may appear redder than normal, or smoother than normal.  This indicates an underlying infection is present
• Bitter/metallic taste in mouth

Causes/Related Factors of Burning Mouth Syndrome

• Most often unpredictable and not related to a specific cause
• The following are not causes, but have been linked to the condition:
  • Decreased saliva production
  • Chronic mouth breathing
  • Trigeminal neuralgia
  • Candidiasis (fungal infection in the mouth)
  • Trauma to the mouth
  • Chronic tongue thrust habit
  • Allergy to medications
  • Vitamin B deficiency
  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • AIDS
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Estrogen deficiency (thus the higher occurrence in post menopausal women)

Treatment for Burning Mouth Syndrome

• If the dentist can identify an underlying systemic condition (such as vitamin B deficiency or fungal infection, etc.), you can receive treatment for the primary condition and, as a result, burning mouth syndrome will resolve also
• If no cause can be identified, the following treatments may be used
  • Clonazapam
  • Vitamin B
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
  • Pain medications (aspirin, ibuprofen)
  • Antibiotics
  • Antifungals
  • Counseling
• Being that this condition has a high correlation with depression, anxiety, and stress, if means are taken to RELAX and create a stress-free, anxiety-free home/work environment symptoms will alleviate

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