Being stuck in the house for the past several months has a lot of unintended consequences, one of which is developing an undiagnosed case of halitosis — more commonly known as bad breath.
When you have bad breath, you often can’t tell on your own. People with bad breath often learn of their condition due to social interaction with other people. Loved ones or trusted friends may let them know that their breath is offensive. Or perhaps they discover it when a stranger suddenly backs away while they are speaking. In either case, it requires speaking directly to other people to learn that your breath is sour or unpleasant.
Which leads us back to the coronavirus crisis. Many people have been sheltering in their homes for weeks or even months without realizing they have developed bad breath. Fortunately, there’s a solution.
Combatting Halitosis
Most of the time, bad breath is caused by food particles becoming stuck in the tight spaces between the teeth. Over time, these food particles decay, causing unpleasant odors to be emitted from the breath. But because this happens slowly, it’s often practically impossible for the person with bad breath to realize it because they become acclimated to the smell.
Bad breath also can be caused when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth. This thin film of residue also can emit unpleasant odors.
But brushing and flossing regularly can eliminate the causes of bad breath, giving you clean, fresh breath that doesn’t offend other people.
Regular Dental Checkups
Other causes of halitosis can be more difficult to treat. These include things like gum disease, infection, and other health issues. The best way to identify these before they become more serious is to schedule regular checkups with your dentist.
Dental professionals can identify oral health issues and address them before they get worse.
You may have developed bad breath without even knowing it during the coronavirus crisis. But brushing and flossing regularly and seeing your dentist for regular checkups is often enough to resolve the issue.
