Bad breath or Halitosis

It’s an unpleasant condition that’s cause for embarrassment. Some people with bad breath aren’t even aware there’s a problem. If you’re concerned about bad breath, see your dentist right away.Bad breath is caused by bacteria that hide under the tongue and in the grooves and rough edges of teeth. As bacteria come in contact with food particles they can turn these food particles into sulfur compounds.lack of regular brushing and flossing can encourage the reaction that leads to bad breath, and of course eating foods like garlic and onions.

What are the causes of bad breath?

Most cases of bad breath are nothing to worry about, but bad breath can signal an ongoing health problem such as diabetes, liver or kidney disease, gum disease, dry mouth (xerostomia), infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, gastrointestinal disturbance. Other factors can cause bad breath, such as Tobacco products, alcohol, morning breath, poor oral hygiene, braces and dentures.

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Thumb and digit sucking are believed to cause number of changes in the dental arch and the supporting structures. The severity of the malocclusion caused by thumb sucking depends on three factors

A. Duration : The amount of time spent in that habit.

B. Frequency: The number of times the habit is activated in a day.

C. Intensity: The strength with which the habit is performed

Here are some of the effects of thumb sucking

• labial tipping of the maxillary anterior teeth.
• Increased overjet.
• Anterior open bite.
• Cheek muscles contract during thumb sucking.
• Tongue thrust.

In mechanical treatment we can use appliances usually consist of a crib placed palatal to the maxillary incisors , these appliances called ( habit breakers ) and they can be in two types

1. Removable habit breakers
2. fixed habit breakers

In chemical approach we can use bitter tasting or foul smelling preparation placed on the thumb that is sucked, this can make the habit distasteful

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have an orthodontic screening no later than age 7. By then, enough of the permanent teeth have emerged to identify potential problems. However, you shouldn’t wait until all the permanent teeth erupt in the mouth. Starting orthodontic treatment early in life offers many advantages. For example, while children are still growing, expansion devices can be used to modify the width of the palate, which can help teeth come in straighter. Such treatment is best done at an early age to maximize a patient’s orthodontic potential.

Many people undergo orthodontic treatment during adolescent and teen-age years, when most of the permanent teeth have come in and treatment can be most effective. About 3 million teen-agers in the United States and Canada wear braces, and millions more would benefit from treatment.

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