What Causes Bad Breath?

What Causes Bad Breath?
Posted on 04/18/2019
This is the image for the news article titled What Causes Bad Breath?

What Causes Bad Breath?

When we smell bad breath, the first culprit we blame is the food we just ate. Not brushing your teeth comes in as a close second. Although it may be easy to pop in a gum or mint and forget about the bad breath, rest assured that that is only a temporary measure and a Band-Aid on what can be a bigger underlying issue.

Reasons For Bad Breath

There are many ways to acquire bad breath. Some reasons can be as easy as diet or oral hygiene, while other reasons can be health-related. If you’re experiencing bad breath, here are some reasons that may be causing it:

  • Diet And Digestion – Okay, sometimes—it is what you ate! There are certain foods that are obviously stronger and more pungent in smell and flavor. Foods like onions, garlic, fish, cheese, horseradish, etc! These foods are yummy and enjoyed by many but watch out—when you eat stinky foods the particles can get trapped in between your teeth or remain on the surface of your tongue where the good bacteria in your mouth will begin to break them down for digestion. This is a normal, albeit, smelly process. Digestion of these foods can also cause gasses to be produced in your stomach and may come up by way of your mouth—another stinky situation!
  • Improper Oral Hygiene – If you’re not taking care of your mouth, then don’t feel betrayed by it when you realize you have bad breath. The recommended steps to good oral hygiene is to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
  • Dry Mouth – Dry mouth can happen if you’re not properly hydrated, can be the symptom of an underlying health issue, or can be the side-effect of medications you may be taking. If your body is not producing sufficient saliva, this can make it harder for you to chew and swallow food. Food left behind in your mouth will start to decompose and will cause bad breath.
  • Smoking – This habit is a stream of smoke and perhaps chemicals (depending on the natural or man-made item you’re smoking) that are being drawn in by your mouth and taken into your lungs. When you exhale the smoke, some of the residue remains in your lungs, throat, and mouth. Over time, if you’re a constant smoker, the residue will become thicker and more permanent and your breath will have a persistent smoky bad smell even when you’re not actively smoking.
  • Medical And Health Issues – Periodontal disease, gum disease, abscessed teeth, gingivitis, sinus conditions, and gastric reflux are a few of many health problems that, as a result, will also cause bad breath. Some of these diseases are avoidable with oral hygiene and/or medication. Some are more serious and require help from your family physician.

Ways To Treat Bad Breath

  • Keep Hydrated – Drinking water keeps you remain hydrated and helps the production of saliva, which is your body’s natural mouthwash. It may sound weird, but if you really think about it, you’ll realize that saliva is constantly helping food or drink to slide down your throat and keeps particles from remaining stationary.
  • Proper Oral Hygiene – Keeping up with your morning and nightly dental routine is very important. Brushing your teeth, flossing, and using mouthwash are all measures taken to make sure that food is not left behind on or in between your teeth as well as the surface of your tongue. Don’t forget to brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper to clear out the residue left behind on the surface of your tongue. That residue is produced when the good bacteria in your mouth is breaking down food particles and must be washed out to avoid having bad breath.
  • Visit Your Dentist Regularly – You can take all the precautions you want at home to keep a healthy and beautiful smile, but even we can’t get to hard to reach places sometimes. That’s where Dr. Tyler McCabe comes in! Coming in for general treatments, such as teeth cleanings, are important to upkeep the health of your mouth and consequently prevent bad breath.

Contact Your Ocean Springs Dental Expert!

If you’re suffering from bad breath and are unsure of the root cause, schedule an appointment at Tyler McCabe D.M.D. today and we’ll make sure we’ll get to the bottom of the problem. Our job is to provide you with solution options and make recommendations to keep your smile beautiful.

Tyler McCabe DMD LLC

  • Tyler McCabe D.M.D. LLC - 1145 Ocean Springs Rd., Ocean Springs, MS 39564 Phone: 228-875-7462 Fax: 228-875-8546

2024© All Rights Reserved | Website Design By: TelevoxLogin