Identifying the Common Causes of Bad Breath

Herrick Dental | 11/21/14

Have you been in a situation where you are talking to someone, but the bad odor emitting from the person’s mouth wants to make you gag and you can’t focus on the person’s words? Well, that is bad breath, or halitosis.

Halitosis is a condition that anyone can suffer from, including you. The good news is that if you know what causes bad breath, you can take remedial measures. Here are the top five bad breath causes along with tips to eliminate the embarrassing odor.

1. Poor Oral Hygiene

You may be surprised to learn poor oral hygiene is the number one cause of bad breath. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth twice a day, you are letting bacteria proliferate in your mouth. These bacteria feast on food particles and debris that remain in your mouth, leading to an odor.

The best way to combat the odor is by brushing and flossing your teeth every day and visiting your dentist twice a year for professional teeth cleaning. This also will prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

2. Morning Breath

Often times, we wake up from a night’s sleep with less than fresh breath! When you wake up, you will typically find that your mouth is dry and slightly grimy. This is because saliva production slows down during the night, letting bacteria multiply in the mouth. These bacteria produce the odor coming out from your mouth.

You can prevent morning breath to a large extent by brushing and flossing your teeth before you retire to bed and then brushing your teeth the moment you wake up. Make sure these routine actions are a part of your bedtime routine!

3. Strong Smelling Foods

Onions and garlic are perhaps one of the main bad breath causes. These foods have aromatic oils that cling to your teeth, gums and tongue; and they are also absorbed by the bloodstream after digestion. The absorbed oils and nutrients find their way into your lungs and when you breath, the odor is emitted.

You can avoid bad odor from your mouth after eating strong smelling foods by relying on a breath mint or using a mouthwash. While it will not do away with the odor completely, it will definitely mask it.

4. Sinus Infection and/or Allergies

If you have a sinus infection or suffer from hay fever, your sinus and nasal passages will be a breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria. The bacteria thrive in phlegm and mucus. Once the mucus and phlegm makes its way into your throat, your breath will smell foul.

The only way to combat bad breath caused by allergies and sinus infection is to take medication. Consult your doctor. You can try warm salt water gargle to temporarily do away with the foul odor, but it will not last too long.

5. Gum Disease

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a serious condition that typically results from poor oral hygiene. It causes bacteria to infect your gums, creating an ominous and offensive odor.

Gum disease has to be treated by a qualified dentist, but you can do your bit to eliminate bad breath by brushing and flossing your teeth carefully twice a day.

Now that you know the top five bad breath causes, you can take measures to eliminate that foul odor coming from your mouth. Remember, oral hygiene is extremely important and will go a long way in keeping your breath smelling sweet! Schedule an appointment with our dentists to keep your breath fresh!

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