21 Apr What Causes Bad Breath?
Bad breath can be quite embarrassing to experience and it may even result in anxiety. It is not surprising that most stores are filled with mints, mouthwashes, gums and various other products made for fighting bad breath. However, such products only offer temporary relief since they don’t deal with the causes of bad breath. Learn about what is causing your halitosis or bad breath here below:
Food
Food is one of the main causes of bad breath. Small food particles can get stuck around your mouth and teeth, which increases bacteria and creates a foul smell. Furthermore, eating specific foods like garlic, spices and onions can also cause bad breath.
Poor dental hygiene
When you don’t practice good dental hygiene, which includes brushing and flossing daily, food particles will likely remain inside your mouth. The result will be a build up of plaque around your teeth and your tongue may also trap bacteria, thus producing foul odors. Additionally, if you don’t clean your dentures, then they can harbor some odor-causing food particles and bacteria.
Dry mouth
Dry mouth is a health condition that can cause dry breath. Saliva is critical in keeping your mouth clean and removing any odor causing particles. However, you can naturally experience dry mouth when you sleep, which is what causes that foul morning breath you experience every morning. Some people have chronic dry mouth, which may be caused by salivary glands issues or certain diseases.
Coffee
Drinking coffee every morning can also leave you with a bad breath. The primary reasons why coffee causes halitosis is because of its intense, powerful flavor and also its effects on your saliva production. The caffeine content in coffee reduces saliva production in your mouth, which then increases the amounts of bacteria that cause foul odor.
Prescription medication
Many prescription medications often cause dry mouth as one of their side effects. Once your mouth dries up it typically becomes the perfect environment for bacteria that cause odors. Moreover, some drugs when absorbed into the body will cause bad breath as the chemicals enter the blood stream.
Conclusion
If you are suffering from bad breath, start by practicing good oral hygiene and drinking lots of water. However, the bad breath doesn’t go away even after making the necessary lifestyle changes, then it is worth consulting a dentist for a comprehensive review. Learning what is causing your bad breath will help you find an effective solution.