Bad breath, also known as halitosis or oral malodor, affects most people from time to time, especially first thing in the morning. Store shelves have various products to help freshen breath. These include mouthwashes, mints, chewing gums, and other products designed to replace bad breath with a fresh minty smell. But bad breath may have underlying causes that require more than a spritz of breath spray. Learn more about bad breath, its causes, solutions, and how your dentist can help.
Trident General Dentistry offers superior dental care in Charleston, SC. Book an appointment with us today!
Causes of Bad Breath
Below are the primary causes of bad breath:
Bacteria
The reason you have bad breath in the morning is bacteria. Saliva flows when you’re awake to help prevent the growth of bacteria in your mouth. This flow slows down and almost stops while we’re sleeping, allowing bacteria to multiply and cause bad breath.
Bacteria doesn’t just cause problems while you sleep. After you eat, they begin feeding on the food particles left in your mouth and in between your teeth. The waste products they leave behind after feeding result in foul-smelling breath unless the food particles get brushed away.
Food
Some foods such as garlic, onions, and certain spices can leave you with bad breath even after brushing your teeth. These foods contain compounds that get digested and affect the air we breathe for some time after we eat them.
Gum Disease
Gingivitis and periodontitis are common oral diseases that:
· Cause bad breath
· Affect ability to chew foods
· Cause sensitive teeth
· Cause pain and swelling of the mouth and jaws
· Negatively affect smiling
· Can cause stress, anxiety, and depression
· May play a role in serious medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and dementia
Gum disease is preventable, and one of the early signs is often a bad taste in your mouth and bad breath. The bad breath from gum disease results from the buildup of dental plaque on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that inflames gums and produces bad-smelling sulfur compounds. Fortunately, you can remove plaque at home daily with brushing and flossing.
Dehydration
There are many health benefits to staying hydrated throughout the day, such as joint and organ health and body temperature regulation. Drinking enough water can also help keep your breath fresh. When you’re dehydrated, you don’t produce as much saliva, and bacteria grows more quickly and causes bad breath.
Smoking and Tobacco Products
Smoking and tobacco products cause their own particular bad mouth odor. They also lead to a significant cause of bad breath by contributing to gum disease and dry mouth.
Prescription Medications
One of the side effects of many medications is a dry mouth that causes bad breath. If you notice bad breath after starting to take a medication, ask Trident General Dentistry for suggestions on how to help keep your mouth moist during this time.
Solutions for Bad Breath
An accurate professional diagnosis can help you solve the problem of bad breath. The cause of your problem determines which solutions you need. It may require one or more of these remedies to rid you of halitosis and give you fresh breath again:
· Proper Brushing. You should brush your teeth for a minimum of two minutes and at least twice daily. Using a soft-bristled brush and brushing your gums, tongue, the roof of your mouth, and teeth can help prevent plaque buildup that causes bad breath. Brushing after each meal and before going to bed are the best practices for oral health and fresh breath all day long.
· Flossing. Flossing at least one time each day is essential to preventing gum inflammation and bad breath.
· Drink Water. Preventing dry mouth is crucial to fresh breath. Drinking water throughout the day washes food particles from around teeth and helps saliva production. Sugar-free mints and gums can also help keep your mouth moist.
· Stop Smoking. Tobacco products hinder oral health and fresh breath.
· Regular Dental Checkups. Preventing oral disease with regular dental exams and professional dental cleanings can help you prevent bad breath. No matter how well you brush and floss, you probably miss certain areas. One area can accumulate plaque and cause bad breath.
Schedule an Appointment with Trident General Dentistry
We hope you now know more about bad breath, its causes, solutions, and how your dentist can help. Contact Trident General Dentistry for a consultation on how to keep your teeth and gums healthy and what steps to take to prevent bad breath.