Bad Breath: Find Out What Causes It and What You Can Do to Fix It

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Bad Breath: Find Out What Causes It and What You Can Do to Fix It

Sometimes, everyone deals with bad breath upon waking in the morning, following a garlic-filled meal, or after enjoying the occasional glass of wine, but others suffer from persistent bad breath that always seems to be there. Whether you notice the smell yourself or have a friend or relative kind enough to gently point it out to you, dealing with bad breath (also called halitosis) can become quite stressful. It not only affects a person’s self-esteem but can also indicate a more serious health concern.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Many different factors can cause bad breath including:
  • Certain Foods - Garlic, onions, legumes, broccoli, and kale can all produce gasses that cause bad breath.
  • Coffee and Alcohol - Both coffee and alcohol can cause temporary halitosis.
  • Tobacco Products - Cigarettes and chewing tobacco both lead to bad breath.
  • Bacteria - Increased levels of bacteria present in the mouth due to poor dental hygiene, periodontal disease, and other health problems cause bad breath.
  • Illness - Respiratory infections such as bronchitis, sinusitis, tonsilitis, and others cause bad breath.
  • Dry Mouth - Persistent dry mouth due to dehydration or disorders with a person's mucous membranes or salivary glands cause halitosis.
  • Medications - Many prescription and over the counter medications can cause dry mouth (as a side effect), which can then lead to halitosis.
  • Medical Conditions - Several medical conditions like liver disease, kidney disease, and diabetes cause halitosis.

How to Freshen Your Breath

Most often, oral health problems cause persistent bad breath. So, the best way to begin freshening your breath is by practicing good oral hygiene.
  • Brush and floss at least twice a day (or after each meal) to eradicate bacteria from the mouth. Be sure to brush your tongue, too!
  • Morning and night, rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash.
  • Avoid using tobacco products.
  • Stay hydrated.
  • Combat heartburn and acid reflux by avoiding overly acidic foods.
  • Treat underlying medical problems.
If you’ve tried simple remedies and haven’t found relief, we strongly recommended seeing a doctor or a dentist for a checkup. Since several underlying medical conditions can cause bad breath, you should visit a medical professional to rule out or begin treatment for any health problems.

Worried about Your Breath? Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Mott, Your Kenmore Dentist

If you’re concerned about your breath, schedule an appointment with Dr. Mott at Kenmore Smiles Family Dentistry. Dr. Mott will talk with you about your concerns and medical history and evaluate the health of your teeth and gums. If any signs of periodontal disease, tooth decay, or chronic dry mouth are found, Dr. Mott will work with you to determine the best treatment plan for improving your oral health and solving your bad breath blues.

Are These Common Bad Habits Damaging Your Teeth?

Are These Common Bad Habits Damaging Your Teeth?

If you brush and floss each day, then you already have a wonderfully healthy habit. Unfortunately, there are plenty of bad habits that can harm your teeth, gums, and general oral health. Use the following habit-breaking advice to stop the unhealthy behavior and get back on the path to a healthy smile.

Chewing on Ice and Biting Your Nails

These bad habits damage tooth enamel, wear down your teeth, and can lead to broken or chipped teeth and tooth decay.

Habit-Breaker: Replace ice or other objects with sugar-free chewing gum that’ll be safe for your teeth. If you bite your nails, paint on a colorless, foul-tasting nail polish designed to discourage the bad habit.

Using Tobacco

Tobacco stains teeth and damages the mouth’s soft tissues. Over time, it can cause oral cancer and other cancers throughout the body.

Habit-Breaker: Patches, gums, prescription medications, and even meditation can all help with smoking, vaping, and chewing tobacco cessation. Talk with your doctor about the best strategy for you.

Brushing Too Hard

It’s no surprise that many people think their teeth will be cleaner if they brush harder. Brushing hard, however, can actually damage your tooth enamel and your gums, leading to sensitivity, decay, and receding gums.

Habit-Breaker: Learn to brush softly by focusing on just one or two teeth at a time, using a toothbrush with soft bristles. Another great strategy is to invest in a high-quality electric toothbrush, which will thoroughly clean teeth by gently gliding across their surfaces.

Drinking Too Little Water

Our bodies have a built-in teeth-cleaning and bacteria-busting system – saliva. Drinking too little water and letting yourself become dehydrated will hinder your saliva production and dry out your mouth, leaving acid-producing bacteria free to break down tooth enamel.

Habit-Breaker: Stay hydrated by making sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day (more if you’re exercising, sweating, or spending time in the heat). Fill up a water bottle to have at your desk or set a timer to remind yourself. Remember if you wait until you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.

Start a Healthy Dental Habit – Schedule Annual Checkups for Your Family

Along with brushing and flossing every day, one of the healthiest dental habits is to see a dentist for a professional cleaning and checkup at least once a year. To schedule appointments for your whole family, we welcome you to contact Kenmore Smiles Family Dentistry. Dr. Mott can help you break your unhealthy dental habits and replace them with positive practices that’ll keep your teeth and gums healthy for life.