Bad breath happens to most of us at one point or another. If you’ve ever gotten that not-so-fresh feeling in a less than ideal moment, you’re not alone.

There are a number of reasons why bad breath occurs. While many causes are harmless, bad breath can sometimes be a sign of something more serious.

Causes

• Bacteria: Bad breath-causing bacteria that naturally lives in your mouth. Your mouth is a perfect environment for these bacteria to grow. When you eat, bacteria feed on the food left in your mouth and leave a foul-smelling waste product behind.

• Dry Mouth: Saliva is important because it is your mouth’s natural cleaner. 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 issues or by simply breathing through your mouth.

• Food: Certain foods come with certain odors, depending on what you have eaten the air you exhale may be affected.

• Smoking: Smoking stains your teeth, gives you bad breath and puts you at risk for serious health problems. Tobacco reduces your ability to taste foods and irritates gum tissues.

• Gum Disease: Bad breath that just won’t dissipate or a constant bad taste in your mouth can be a warning sign of gum disease. Gum disease is caused by a sticky, cavity-causing bacteria called plaque.

Solutions

• Good Oral Hygiene: Brushing and flossing daily, using mouthwash, and rinsing out your mouth between meals can do wonders for your oral hygiene and your breath.

• Saliva Production: To get more saliva in your mouth, try eating healthy foods that require a lot of chewing, like carrots and apples. Try chewing sugar-free gum or having sugar-free candies which can also aid in saliva production.

• 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 Your Dentist Regularly: Regular checkups allow your dentist to detect any problems such as gum disease or dry mouth and stop them before they become more serious. If your dentist determines your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your primary care doctor to check if there could be other medical conditions at play.

If you have bad breath, it is something that can be treated. Try out some of our solutions above and contact DS dental today to book your next appointment.