If you’re concerned that you may have bad breath, make an appointment to see us. Regular checkups allow us to detect any problems that may cause bad breath, such as gum disease or dry mouth, and stop them before they become more serious.
What causes bad breath?
While many causes are harmless, bad breath can sometimes be a sign of something more serious.
- Bacteria - Bad breath can happen anytime thanks to the hundreds of types of bad breath- causing bacteria that naturally live in your mouth. Your mouth also acts like a natural hothouse that allows these bacteria to grow. When you eat, bacteria feed on the food left in your mouth and leaves an odorous product behind.
- Dry mouth - Your mouth might not be making enough saliva. Saliva is important because it works around the clock to wash out your mouth. If you don’t have enough, your mouth isn’t being cleaned as much as it should be. Dry mouth can be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems or by simply breathing through your mouth.
- Gum disease - Bad breath that just won’t go away or a constant bad taste in your mouth can be a warning sign of gum disease, which is caused by a sticky, cavity-causing bacteria called plaque.
- Food - Garlic, onions, coffee… The list of breath-offending foods is long, and what you eat affects the air you exhale.
- Smoking and tobacco - Smoking stains your teeth, gives you bad breath and puts you at risk for a host of health problems. Tobacco reduces your ability to taste foods and irritates gum tissues. Tobacco users are more likely to suffer from gum disease. Since smoking also affects your sense of smell, smokers may not be aware of how their breath smells.
- Medical conditions - Mouth infections can cause bad breath. However, if we have ruled out other causes and you brush and floss every day, your bad breath could be the result of another problem, such as a sinus condition, gastric reflux, diabetes, liver or kidney disease.
How Can I Keep Bad Breath Away?
To get more saliva moving in your mouth, try eating healthy foods that require a lot of chewing, like carrots or apples.
- Brush and floss - Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily to get rid of all the bacteria that might be causing your bad breath. The longer you wait to brush and floss away food in your mouth, the more likely your breath will offend.
- Mouthwash - Over-the-counter mouthwashes can help kill bacteria or neutralize and temporarily mask bad breath. It’s only a temporary solution, however, and should not be used to mask and ignore more serious problems.
- Clean your dentures - If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night, and clean them thoroughly before using them again the next morning.
- Keep that saliva flowing - Depending on your teeth, we might suggest that you also try chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candies. We might also recommend artificial saliva.
- Quit smoking - Giving up this dangerous habit is good for your body in many ways. Not only will you have better breath, you’ll have a better quality of life.
- Visit us regularly - If you’re concerned about what’s causing your bad breath, make an appointment to see us. Regular checkups allow us to detect any problems such as gum disease or dry mouth and stop them before they become more serious.
