Bad Breath Causes

Bad breath, often referred to by medical professionals as halitosis, has a multitude of possible causes. Many incidents of halitosis arise thanks to poor hygiene practices. If you skip brushing your teeth for a day or two, you may see individuals giving you more space than usual during a conversation! For many people, however, the underlying cause of their bad breath is a much deeper problem. If you suffer from bad breath and you are wondering what are the causes of bad breath, take a look at the list below.

 

 

What Are the Causes of Bad Breath?

One of the main causes of bad breath is the accumulation of oral bacteria in the mouth. Oral bacteria are caused by factors such as failure to brush properly, poorly-fitting veneers or crowns, gum disease and/or tongue disease. The bacteria that accumulate in the mouth are among the leading causes of bad breath.

There are many things that can contribute to bad breath, even after you have thoroughly brushed your teeth on a regular basis. Let’s look at some of those possible causes:

What Causes Bad Breath Even After Brushing?

If you do not have poorly-fitting crowns or veneers, and you brush your teeth routinely and yet you still have bad breath, you must be wondering what causes bad breath even after brushing properly. Let’s take a look at what causes bad breath even after brushing your teeth thoroughly. Here are some factors that lead to bad breath:

Using Tobacco Products

As if the probability of developing cancers is not enough of an incentive to quit smoking or chewing tobacco, one side effect of tobacco use is bad breath.

Choosing Certain Foods and/or Drinks

You have probably been confronted by someone who consumed a garlic-laden meal recently, so you know how certain foods and drink can cause friends and family to take a step back. Some of the more common foods that contribute to bad breath are garlic and onions. Coffee is one of the more common liquids that contribute to bad breath.

 

 

Dry Mouth

If you suffer from dry mouth problems, you most likely also have incidents of bad breath. Once the mouth dries out, food and bacteria remaining in the mouth do not have the opportunity to be washed away. Leaving those things behind will lead to bad breath. If you suffer from dry mouth, you may be experiencing this problem as a side effect of certain medications.

Sinus Problems

If you are experiencing sinus issues, you are probably also suffering from bad breath. Sinus problems cause an accumulation of mucus in the back of the throat. Thick mucus can develop bacteria, another cause of bad breath.

Medical Conditions Elsewhere in the Body

If your orthodontist/dentist cannot find an oral-health-related cause of chronic halitosis, it is time to consult your medical physician to see if there is an underlying cause elsewhere in the body. There are many medical conditions that can cause bad breath. Bad breath that is not caused by one of the aforementioned causes can be a strong indication that there is something else going on in the body. Some medical conditions that create bad breath include:

• Tonsillitis/tonsil stones
• Diabetes
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Kidney dysfunction

How to Prevent Bad Breath

Now that you’ve reviewed the leading causes of bad breath issues, it is time to find out how to prevent bad breath. If you want to work on how to prevent bad breath, the first thing you can do is review the above list to see if you have any of the risk factors for bad breath. Let’s address some additional ways you can prevent bad breath issues.

Add a Tongue Scraper into Your Dental Hygiene Routine

In addition to using a good toothbrush and floss daily, you can add a tongue scraper to your dental tools. Since odor-causing bacteria left behind in the mouth is a leading cause of bad breath, a tongue scraper can gently remove any food debris that may be trapped on the buildup on the tongue. You can use a tongue scraper twice a day before you brush your teeth. A tongue scraper must be used gently so as to not create soreness or irritation.

Take a Look at Your Toothbrush

Is your toothbrush worn out? If it is, then it cannot do a good job of properly cleaning your teeth. You should replace your toothbrush several times a year. You may even want to consider getting an electronic toothbrush that can more effectively reach places in your teeth than a manual toothbrush cannot reach.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Make Dietary Changes

You may want to make some thoughtful diet changes to avoid bad breath triggers. In addition to eliminating some of the foods and liquids that contribute to bad breath, you can add Vitamin C into your daily diet. Vitamin C can make the general atmosphere in your mouth unfriendly to odor-causing bacteria. Some foods that can increase the Vitamin C in your body include strawberries, cauliflower, kiwis, broccoli and pineapple.

Drink Lots of Water

We all know there are many benefits of drinking adequate water daily. One benefit that sometimes is forgotten is that drinking water can improve oral hygiene. Drinking water can remove food debris, as it naturally rinses out your mouth. The mere process of drinking water triggers the saliva glands, so your mouth hydration will improve.

Visit Your Dental Professional

Regular dental appointments can pinpoint problems before they arise. Getting your teeth checked can reveal problems such as overcrowding, veneers that have become loose or even cavities that are trapping bacteria. Your dental professional can work with you to determine the cause of chronic bad breath so you can again be comfortable as you engage in conversations with your friends, family members, and business partners.

You can eliminate the fear that your bad breath is leaving a bad impression that will linger long after the conversation ends. If you are suffering from chronic bad breath issues, it’s time to consult the dental professionals here at McDermott Orthodontics. We can help you address all of the possible causes of your bad breath problems and find workable solutions so you can regain your confidence and self-esteem.

 

Which tip will you try first???
Either way, let us know by leaving a comment below right now and continue the conversation.

 

MCDERMOTT ORTHODONTICS

 

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Bad Breath Causes