Top Five Reasons for Bad Breath

Bad breath is not only embarrassing, but it can be a significant source of disruption to your relationships and even your career if it persists. Chronic bad breath, also called halitosis, is more than just having garlic breath or onion breath after your meal. Your halitosis could be an indication of another health problem, either in your mouth or your body. Treating your bad breath begins with determining the root cause. Here are five top causes of halitosis:

Poor Dental Hygiene
This is the leading cause for halitosis. Slacking on your brushing and flossing efforts can allow bacteria from food to grow in your mouth. Eventually, this bacteria release sulfur compounds, which gives your breath that very foul odor.

Dry Mouth
We need adequate saliva to moisten and clean our mouths. Without saliva, bacteria can buildup and cause bad breath. This is the reason that most of us experience bad breath in the morning, as saliva production decreases while we sleep.

Other Health Conditions
There are a number of medical conditions outside of the mouth that can cause halitosis, including diabetes, kidney disease, acid reflux, sinus problems and lung disease.

Cavities & Gum Disease
The two most common dental health threats, tooth decay and periodontal disease, can also lead to bad breath when not treated. Both of these mouth conditions develop from bacteria accumulating on the teeth or below the gums.

Tobacco
It is no surprise that those who smoke or chew tobacco suffer from unpleasant breath. In fact, the chemicals that tobacco leaves behind in the mouth can lead to problems far beyond bad breath.

What Can You Do?

Stepping up your game when it comes to dental hygiene should be your first line of defense against bad breath. Be sure to brush twice a day and floss daily, and don’t forget to brush all surfaces of your tongue while you’re at it. In addition, keep your mouth moist. Chewing Xylitol gum throughout the day can help freshen breath and stimulate proper saliva flow. Lastly, try not to rely on mints, as these are only masking your bad breath and adding extra sugars into your mouth.

If you continue to suffer from halitosis after making some improvements in your oral hygiene or lifestyle habits, please contact our experienced dental professionals at Pure Smiles Dentistry. We offer a full range of halitosis treatment options to help patients regain a more confident mouth. In many cases, a professional cleaning is all that is needed to restore your breath to its freshest scent!