What Causes Bad Breath?

We’ve all been there, but that doesn’t make bad breath any less embarrassing. Popping breath mint after breath mint only takes you so far, but if you know what’s causing it, you can take steps to avoid bad breath in the future.

Also known as halitosis, bad breath can be caused by a number of things. These are a few of the most common reasons you could have bad breath:

Food

Certain foods can give you temporary bad breath, such as onions, coffee, garlic or other spicy and fragrant foods. An easy fix for this scenario is to brush your teeth, use mouthwash or chew some sugar-free gum.

Bacteria

If you don’t properly care for your teeth by brushing, flossing and regularly visiting your dentist, you can suffer from bacteria buildup in your mouth. The build-up of bacteria can lead to bad breath, but this can easily be managed by following the proper recommendations of your dentist for daily oral upkeep.

Dental issues

Bad breath can also be caused by dental issues such as gum disease or cavities. Crowded teeth or ill-fitting dental appliances can cause bad breath as well. It’s best to consult a dentist to rule out any oral causes.

Dry mouth

Lack of saliva causes dry mouth, which could be a side effect of smoking, medications, mouth breathing, or even an underlying health concern. Consult your dentist if you are suffering from dry mouth for the best remedies regarding both dry mouth and bad breath.

Disease

Diseases such as infections, respiratory issues, tonsilitis or even diabetes can result in bad breath. In certain instances, you may be prescribed medication which could also cause dry mouth, further exacerbating your bad breath. A majority of bad breath is caused by proteins broken down in your mouth. If it smells like rotten eggs, it is most likely due to the breakdown of cysteine at the front of the tongue or on the gums, which is a sign of poor oral hygiene.

If you notice a more fecal odor, this is caused by imbalances within the mouth or from protein breakdown on the gum tissue or tongue.

Tobacco

Smoking and tobacco both cause bad breath and can create oral cancers, irritate your gums and create oral cancers.

Managing bad breath

In order to manage bad breath, you have to know what’s causing it. Consult your dentist at All Pro Dental and be honest about your habits. You can work together to create the best approach to getting rid of bad breath. Avoiding tobacco, maintaining a good oral health care routine and routinely visiting the dentist can help you avoid bad breath. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment, you can call us at (781) 853 – 0111 or contact us directly on our website.