We’ve all been there – having a conversation with your boss, a friend or your co-worker and wonder if you have bad breath. Having bad breath isn’t just embarrassing, but there could be an underlying problem.
What causes bad breath?
Food. It does not matter whether you eat garlic or onions, apples and oranges, what you eat does affect the air you breathe out. Food particles, when left in your mouth, begin to collect bacteria, which can cause bad breath.
Gum disease. Persistent bad breath or even a continual bad taste in your mouth may be a warning sign of gum disease. Your gums become infected due to excess bacteria. There is naturally occurring bacteria levels in your mouth; however, as the level increases, so does the odds for gum disease.
Medical conditions. Your overall health can be indicated by the quality of your breath. Sinus or lung infections, bronchitis, diabetes and some liver or kidney disease can be causing your problem.
Dry mouth. A decrease in saliva can be caused by various medications, especially antihistamines for allergies or a cold, a salivary gland problem or continuously breathing through your mouth. Also, dry mouth can be a symptom of diabetes, gastrointestinal problems, or liver and kidney disease.
Smoking and tobacco. The use of tobacco products is bad for your health, causes bad breath and stains on your teeth. Users are more likely to have issues with their gums and are at higher risk for developing oral cancer. Smoking dries out the tissue of your mouth and face causing bad breath along with premature aging.
What to do?
Most of the time bad breath is the result of poor oral hygiene. When food particles are left in the mouth, especially between your teeth, it can lead to bad breath. Basically, that means you do not brush or floss frequently enough. Brush and floss daily! Brushing for two full minutes is important in fighting bad breath. Be sure to brush your tongue, gums and even the roof of your mouth.
If you wear dentures, remove them and brush your gums and tongue as well as brushing the dentures thoroughly. While people often use mouthwash to prevent bad breath, it merely disguises the smell. Mouthwashes are generally cosmetic and do not have a long-lasting effect on bad breath.
If you are concerned about breath, make an appointment with our office. Please mention you are experiencing bad breath so we can focus on a custom solution just for you. Regular checkups allow us to detect problems like gum disease or dry mouth.
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