Common Causes of Bad Breath & What You Can Do About It

Posted on by drbalog
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Nobody likes having it or smelling it on someone else, but pinpointing the cause of your bad breath (halitosis), can sometimes be a challenge because there are some many factors that can contribute to it. In some cases, brushing and mouthwash simply isn’t enough.

Before you start cutting foods out of your diet or carrying a toothbrush with you everywhere you go, you must first get a sense of what could possibly be causing your bad breath. Especially if you seem to have bad breath on a consistent basis, you’ll need to consider the following commons causes:

  • Food: Some foods have more odor than others, especially when you start to break them down by chewing. Garlic, onions and others will make almost anyone’s breath smell and it won’t go away until the food is completely digested.
  • Not Brushing/Flossing: While brushing and flossing won’t necessarily remove the smell of the garlic you just ate, in the long term it will help minimize your bad breath. Food particles can get stuck between your teeth, gums and on your tongue and if you don’t brush, these particles will start to smell.
  • Tobacco Products: Smoking and chewing tobacco not only can stain your teeth and damage your gums/mouth, they are also often a cause of bad breath.
  • Gum (Periodontal) Disease: When plaque buildups on your teeth and goes untreated, gum disease may follow. Persistent bad breath could be a sign.
  • Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Without an adequate supply of saliva, bad breath can follow. Saliva helps to neutralize acids that are produced by plaque and washes away accumulations of dead cells that will eventually decompose. Dry mouth can be caused by medications, salivary gland problems,
  • Other Causes: Poorly fitting dental appliances, cavities, mouth infections, and a number of other diseases and illnesses can cause bad breath.

Whether you’ve identified the cause of your bad breath or not, there are some things you can do to address it:

  • Brush twice a day and don’t forget to brush your tongue too.
  • Replace your toothbrush regularly. Try to every 2-3 months.
  • Floss regularly to remove those food particles from your mouth.
  • See your dentist regularly for dental cleanings and check-ups
  • Drink lots of water to help keep your mouth moist

If you’re having issues with bad breath, come in for a check-up and we’ll evaluate other options. Contact us today.