It’s safe to say everyone gets bad breath from time to time, but an odor called halitosis can be strong in people over a certain age....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Bad breath is not directly caused by aging, but oral hygiene may be more of a problem of concomitant, prevalent illness. As we age, we are more likely to encounter other health issues that can in turn lead to bad breath.
Things like arthritis, which is more common in people over the age of 65, affect people’s ability to brush their teeth, which encourages the buildup of plaque, debris, and bacteria, leading to bad breath and other health issues.
Diseases like Alzheimer’s, which affect the brain, can cause co-ordination problems, which also make brushing the teeth difficult. As older adults rely more on caregivers, their oral hygiene might diminish.
When people become more dependent, their ability to take care of themselves falls through the cracks. Getting older also makes it more likely to have a dry mouth, which can contribute to bad breath.
The reduction in saliva production allows food particles, debris, and bacteria to linger around the teeth and gums, which in turn produces a noticeably unpleasant odor.
A dry mouth can be caused by dehydration as the sense of thirst diminishes over time. Certain medicines can also result in dry mouth.
As we age and develop health problems, we are likely to take more than one mouth-drying medication. If you add one, two, or even a third medication, you are more likely to experience dryness and develop some changes in salivary gland function.
If you wear dentures, they may simply need to be cleaned more vigorously or frequently. When they are not scrubbed sufficiently, they can accumulate food and plaque that leads to stinky breath.
Note: If you are the type that cleans your teeth carefully and gets a professional cleaning on a regular basis, yet you still have bad breath, it is time to talk to a physician.
Conditions like sinus infections or stomach problems can also cause bad breath and may need to be examined before the air clears.
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