Are cavities the origin of bad breath?

When a person has cavities, they are a cause of intense pain and can even mean the loss of a tooth. However, the consequences of cavities for oral health do not only involve pain, but can also be the cause of halitosis or bad breath.

What is the relationship between caries and bad breath?

Bad breath or halitosis is caused by the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria, when degrading food, cause the creation of substances that have a strong odor.

In turn, bacteria (especially the bacteria known as Streptococcus mutans) are the main culprits in the development of tooth decay. In this case, it should be noted that bacteria accumulate in dental plaque, so that a large accumulation of plaque favors the appearance of caries.

In the same line, when there is a fracture in one of the dental pieces, halitosis can be caused by the presence of food debris deposited inside the fracture.

Is bad breath an indicator of the presence of caries?

Although the causes of bad breath are diverse, in some cases this bad odor and even the bad taste in the mouth can be signs of the presence of caries or an infection in the teeth and/or gums.

Therefore, it is advisable to visit a dental specialist periodically for regular check-ups.

Prevention of cavities

In order to avoid halitosis caused by caries, it is necessary to prevent the appearance of caries. To do so, the following is recommended:

  • Limit consumption of foods or foods containing a lot of sugar.
  • Maintain proper dental hygiene. It is recommended to brush your teeth at least three times a day, use dental floss and mouthwash at least twice a day.
  • Clean your teeth thoroughly before going to bed.
  • Make regular visits to the specialist to avoid or detect the presence of cavities as soon as possible.
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Useful tips to avoid bad breath

Apart from regular visits to a specialist and maintaining good dental hygiene, there are other ways to avoid the appearance of halitosis:

  • Encourage the production of saliva: this is done to avoid dry mouth and thus prevent the proliferation of bacteria. To encourage the production of saliva, it is recommended to breathe through the nose, chew food well before swallowing and eat foods high in fiber and citrus fruits.
  • Drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated. Ideally, drink about one and a half liters of water daily and avoid alcoholic beverages.
  • Eat a healthy and balanced diet. To this end, the diet should be rich in fresh vegetables and foods with a high fiber content. Likewise, foods such as sweets, sausages or beef should be avoided, as these involve heavy digestion which can be a cause of bad breath.