Bad-smelling breath can affect the best of us for a number of reasons. It can occur for a single acute reason or you might have bad breath due to an underlying health concern. If you notice bad breath, also known as halitosis, becomes chronic, you should schedule an exam with a dentist to determine its cause.
You can counter bad breath with your oral hygiene routine in many cases. But sometimes, you might develop halitosis for more complicated reasons. Read on to learn about four primary factors that contribute to the formation of bad breath.
4 Reasons You Might Have Bad Breath
Strong Foods and Beverages
One of the most common reasons people get bad breath is the foods and drinks they consume. Food particles can linger in your mouth after a meal, which will leave both a smell and taste behind that can be disruptive. You can brush your teeth or rinse with mouthwash or water to get rid of these particles and freshen your breath.
Not only that, but certain strong foods like onions and garlic will transfer their fragrant oils into your bloodstream and to your lungs. You can have noticeable bad breath that can persist for longer than a day in this case. Pay attention to your diet to ensure you are not often consuming foods that can have this side effect.
Poor Oral Habits
Your mouth contains natural bacteria that create a film of plaque over your teeth throughout the day. Plaque will eat away at your dental structure, putting you in danger of many oral health concerns. But it also causes an odor that will leave you with bad breath.
Make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily to get rid of plaque along with lingering food particles. Other oral habits like smoking can make the odor of bad breath worse. So take care of your smile to keep your breath fresh.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth refers to a decrease in saliva production in your mouth that results in a dry, sticky feeling. This will allow bacteria to spread more freely across your teeth, putting your smile at risk and increasing your chances of forming bad breath.
A common cause of dry mouth is dehydration, so drink plenty of water to keep your smile healthy, clean, and fresh. But dry mouth can also happen due to underlying medical problems. So if this problem persists, talk to your dentist.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue that affects about half of all American adults. This often results in inflammation in the gums as well as swelling and bleeding. The issue can create pockets between the gums and the teeth where plaque, tartar, and food particles can collect.
This build-up may create a foul odor that will reflect on your breath. Practice good oral hygiene to keep gum disease at bay. Attend regular appointments with your dentist for optimal preventative dental care.