BAD BREATH NOT NECESSARILY LINKED TO BAD HABITS NOTES DELTA DENTAL

PARSIPPANY, NJ (June 27, 2001) – Bad breath, clinically termed halitosis or fetor oris, can cause both social and physical discomfort. According to Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey (Delta Dental), understanding the many factors that influence our breath and their underlying causes, as well as following some simple practices, are paramount to remedying the problem.

"There is a popular misconception that bad breath is always caused by lack of dental hygiene or neglect," says Dr. Scott Navarro, Dental Director, Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey. "The truth is, people may have bad breath in spite of the fact they brush and floss regularly." Navarro points out that bad breath can be caused by eating garlicky or spicy foods, digestive problems, and bacteria in the mouth that produce volatile sulfur compounds.

Treatment for bad breath will depend on the cause. Some remedies may include treatment of dry mouth, antifungal medication, dietary modifications, improved oral hygiene, periodontal disease therapy, and dental treatment. Dr. Navarro offers the following suggestions for combating common causes of halitosis:

Daily defense: Brush your teeth with a fluoride tooth paste, clean your tongue with a brush, floss, and use a fluoridated mouth rinse (if recommended by your dentist).

Drink plenty of water: Keep your body hydrated and the saliva working to eliminate excess bacteria.

Treat dry mouth: Drink fluoridated water often, brush and floss after eating, adjust prescriptions (after consulting your doctor), and upon consultation with your dentist, consider using over-the-counter saliva substitutes. Tap or bottled water is not a good substitute because both lack the minerals and neutralizing agents of saliva, cautions Dr. Navarro.

Combat morning mouth: Remove plaque before going to sleep and when you wake in the morning by flossing. The increased amounts of saliva produced when you are awake often take care of the problem after brushing. Using mouthwash alone may only mask bad breath temporarily and actually contribute to a drier mouth because of its alcohol content. Frequent use of sugared mints and gum may increase the risk for cavities.

Avoid tobacco products: The degree of exhaled bad breath directly corresponds to the odor intensity present in the type of tobacco used. Cigar and pipe smoking create the greatest risk of bad breath due to their intense initial odors. Tobacco-induced periodontal disease also contributes to bad breath.

Treat problems immediately: Cavities or periodontal disease should be taken care of as soon as they have been identified by a dentist. Similarly, general health problems such as infections, ulcers or abscesses should be treated promptly to reduce the risk of further complications, some of which can have oral manifestations.

Dr. Navarro says that the causes of bad breath illustrate the connection between overall health and oral health. As New Jersey’s leading and largest dental benefits carrier, Delta Dental continues to monitor oral health and offer ways to foster awareness of this connection. Such awareness is especially important in light of last year’s Surgeon General report, which labeled oral disease a ‘silent epidemic.’

Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc., is New Jersey’s leading and largest dental benefits carrier, providing coverage to more than one million people through contracts with employers in New Jersey and Connecticut. The Delta Dental Plan system is a national network of independently operated, not-for-profit dental service corporations specializing in providing dental benefits programs for employee groups throughout the country. For more information visit us on the Web at deltadentalnj.com.