How to Take Care of the Mouth

The mouth, which is also known as the buccal cavity or oral cavity, is an oval-shaped cavity in the skull. It is equipped with two functions, mainly for eating and speaking. Part of the mouth includes; the lips, tongue, vestibule, cavity, teeth, hard and soft palate, gum, and salivary gland.

The mouth on the part of digestion; digestion starts immediately after food is taken into the mouth. Grounded by your teeth and moisten with saliva. The saliva contains an enzyme called amylase. The amylase breaks down the carbohydrates into simple forms called sugars. Your tongue aids the pushing of the grounded food to the back of your mouth where it is swallowed. Your epiglottis then covers the trachea (windpipe) to allow the food to pass directly into your esophagus. The main organs for digestion include; mouth, esophagus, stomach, gallbladder, small intestine (otherwise known as small bowel), large intestine(colon), rectum, and anus.

While on the part of communication, speech is produced by vocal organs. Talking is enabled by the air expelled through your vocal cords. The vibration of the vocal cord produces sound. The sound is shaped by the movement of your lips and tongue. The tightness of your vocal cords and the force of the expelled air determine the type of sound. The primary organ in communication include; nasal cavity, lip, teeth, palate (hard and soft), velum, pharynx, tongue, and glottis.

The Mouth Odor

Mouth odor is also called halitosis and mouth malodor. It results from poor hygiene habits and other health problems like infections in the lungs, sinuses, and airways.

The causes of mouth odor

• Food
• Dry mouth
• Dental hygiene
• Drugs
• Foreign body
• Disease
• Bowel obstruction
• Mouth infection
• Pregnancy

Food; eating fasting and low carbohydrate gives the mouth it odor and ketone tend to have a strong aroma. Sugary food produces an odor after consuming it. The breakdown of food particles around and in your teeth is capable of increasing bacteria and cause a foul smell. Immediately you eat the food; it gets digested and then enters your bloodstream. The digested particles are carried to your lungs and affect your breath.

Dry mouth; the dry mouth is also known as xerostomia. This is a condition in which the salivary gland meant to produce saliva does not produce enough saliva to keep your mouth wet.  Saliva regularly cleans your mouth, but unfortunately, if your mouth gets dry, a lousy odor can build up. Dry mouth occurs due to the side effects of medication and aging.

Dental hygiene: if you do not have an excellent dental habit, you are prone to having a bad mouth odor.  Regular cleaning and maintenance of your mouth keep it clean with a good breath. Poor dental hygiene is equivalent to bad mouth odor.

Drugs: taking a lot of prescribed medication causes bad odor due to the chemical reaction. These drugs dry out your mouth, and an example of such medications is antihistamines. This is a drug used to treat allergic reactions and cold. It can give one’s breath a terrible odor when taken orally.

The foreign body: if foreign body lodged in the nasal cavity, it causes mouth odor, especially in children. They block the flow of air then cause an infection. The foreign object may be swallowed or breathed directly into the lungs.

Diseases: cancer, liver failure, and other metabolic disorders (gastroesophageal reflux disease) cause mouth odor. The mixture of chemicals and stomach acids causes terrible breath.

Bowel obstruction: occurrence like constipation or blockage in the intestines leads to odor like feces and urine, causing bad mouth odor. They remain stored in the body, which is harmful to the body generally.

Mouth infection: cavities, gum diseases, or impacted teeth from bacterial can cause mouth odor as well. They produce sore or wound on the gum.

Pregnancy: there are many inner changes and reactions during pregnancy like dehydration, nausea, hormonal changes, and the craving for eating different types of foods that result in bad mouth odor.

Common Mouth Infections

Gingivitis: this is some sort of gum disease that causes inflamed gums.

Gum disease: a severe gum infection that damages gum capable of destroying the jaw bone.

Tonsil stones: is a lump of calcified material in the tonsil. The tonsils are fleshy pad at the back of the throat.

Tonsillitis: is an inflammation of two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the throat.

Dental abscess: this infection is a pocket of pus in a tooth caused by a virus.

Thrush: a casual infection of the mouth and tongue, caused by a yeast. They appear as white patches that look like cheese or milk curds.

Periodontitis: this infection is a serious one that damages the soft tissue and the bone that gives support to your teeth.

Canker sores: they are small, shallow lesion that grows on your gums or on your mouth’s soft tissue.

Symptoms to Mouth Infection

• Toothache
• Fever
• Bad breath
• Pain
• Swelling of the gum
• Swelling in the jaws
• The sensitivity of the teeth to cold or hot.
• Lost taste
• Bleeding gum.

Treatment for Mouth Odor

Having a mouth odor is a disgrace in public, but its treatment is simple, and the smell is preventable.

Brushing: Brushing your teeth regularly will help get rid of the plague, mouth odor, and bad breath. Medically it was recommended to brush at least twice a day. It will remove any leftover particles of food in your mouth.

Floss: brushing cleanses only 58% of the surface of the tooth, but flossing often cleans the surface effectively. It is an important oral hygiene habit, it dislodges and washes food stuck between the teeth. It prevents gum diseases and tooth decay.

Avoid dry mouth: never should you allow your mouth to get dehydrated if you really want to prevent mouth odor. Drink enough water and avoid alcohol and tobacco, both of which dehydrate the mouth. Chewing of gums, sucking a sweet, preferably sugar-free. It will help to get rid of dry mouth. If the dry mouth is inveterate, the dentist may prescribe medication or artificial saliva to stimulate the flow of saliva.

Diet: it is compulsory to eat a healthy meal to supply the body its needed nutrient, but if you are on the train to prevent mouth odor, you must avoid onion, garlic, and any other spicy food. Sugary food has been known to be related to bad breath. Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables will help keep your teeth and gums clean. Calcium-rich food also strengthens and nourishes the teeth.

Dentist checkup; dentists are doctors taking care of the teeth, visiting them often for a checkup is advisable. The dentist will check your cavities, visit the doctor, and allow the doctor to keep your teeth healthy. A dentist checkup should take place every 6 months, twice a year.

In addition, drink more water after a meal. This will help wash out some of the sticky and acidic foods and beverages that might have stained the teeth.

In conclusion,

Keep your doctor in the reality of your dental condition. Regular checkups of your dental should always be every 6 months, but if you notice any uncomfortable sign, visit the doctor. Don’t go to bed without brushing and quit smoking to enhance healthy teeth. Some products are needed to maintain good dental hygiene, toothpaste which must contain fluoride. Fluoride defends against tooth decay. The toothbrush must be kept in a clean and dry place, it must be rinsed thoroughly before use and after use. A toothbrush should not exceed 3-4 months of use before it is replaced with a new one.