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About 90% of breath
problems are caused from a proliferation of specific
types of gram (-) anaerobic bacteria in the mouth. This
has also been supported by extensive research in the
field of halitosis. This proliferation is often a result
of conditions such as allergies, sinus congestion or
post-nasal drips, nasal polyps, and xerostomia which is
a dry mouth condition. A common area where the bacteria
congregates can actually be on the tongue itself.
Because we rarely find halitosis resulting from a
medical condition, we suggest that the first approach in
eliminating the problem of bad breath should be an oral
approach. This approach is more economical, noninvasive,
and it has a higher probability of success. We do
recommend that all patients with bad breath maintain
their dental health by seeing their dentist regularly.
Should a halitosis condition persist, despite the simple
and noninvasive oral treatments that we offer, then we
suggest that those patients who continue to have bad
breath should see their physician. Usually from the
differential diagnosis that we perform at the first
appointment, we can determine whether a halitosis
problem is of a medical or dental origin. |