The Causes of Bad Breath and How to Fix Them

We can all agree that bad breath could be embarrassing. For some people it even causes anxiety. You can’t walk through a store without seeing at least one shelf full of mints, gums and all of these stuff designed to help you with fighting bad breath.

However, these are only temporary measureс. The cause of the problem needs to be addressed in order to fix it. That could be certain health conditions of foods, even habits. If you can’t fix the problem yourself you’ll need to see your dentist.

It’s actually difficult to detect the odor of your breath by yourself, so it’s best to ask a relative or close friend.

Here are some of the things that might cause bad breath.

Poor dental hygiene

Daily brushing and flossing removes food particles and if you do it wrong or skip it they remain in your mouth. That way plaque is produced. Your tongue could trap bacteria that produces odor as well.

If dentures aren’t cleaned regularly they could also harbour odor-causing bacteria.

Food

Eating foods like garlic, onions and some spices can cause really bad breath. After digested, they enter your bloodstream and are carried to your lungs. That way they affect your breath.

Dry mouth

This condition is called xerostomia. It contributes of bad breath, as the production of saliva is decreased. Saliva actually cleanses your mouth by removing particles that may cause bad odor.

Usually dry mouth occurs at night time, during sleep and leads to what’s called “morning breath”.

If you experience dry mouth chronically, the cause might be a problem with salivary glands or certain diseases.

Smoking

Smoking causes a specific unpleasant odor. It may also cause gum diseases, which are a source of bad breath.

Some medications

Medications might contribute to dry mouth, which again leads to bad breath. Some of the chemicals that they release could also be carried on your breath.

Your diet

Diets that are high in sugar and protein can result in bad breath. When you feed the bacteria that naturally exists in your mouth on sugar the sweet treats could turn into unpleasant smells. Also when you don’t have enough carbohydrates in your body, you’ll probably have bad breath. It’s best to have a balanced diet that includes more herbs and vegetables.

So, with all of the above being said, how can you avoid bad breath?

Brush and floss at least twice a day

Preferably do it after every meal if possible. With good oral hygiene the chances of having bad breath are minimal.

Brush your tongue

Just like on your teeth and gums, bacteria could build up on your tongue as well. That’s why you’d probably want to add tongue scraper to your daily oral hygiene

Avoid dry mouth

The best way to do that is by simply drinking lots of water. Avoid smoking and alcohol as they tend to dehydrate the mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum can also help to stimulate production of saliva.

Don’t forget to see your dentist regularly

Your dentist should be able to notice any problems that might cause bad breath during your regular checkups. Visit your dentist twice a year not only for that but to avoid all kinds of potential problems.

Conclusion

Bad breath could be very uncomfortable. There are many things that might cause it so it’s important that we take  care of our overall oral health to avoid not only this but all kinds of problems.

If a good balance diet and daily oral hygiene doesn’t help with bad breath, maybe you should consider visiting your dentist, so he can find the exact cause and treat it.

If you experience bad breath and aren’t able to deal with it, don’t hesitate to call Gallegos Family Dentistry and book an appointment. We could offer you professional help and advice on how to handle bad breath, so you forget about your concerns.