(734) 999-9909
The mouth is a complex ecosystem that sometimes goes out of balance. When that happens, bad breath surely follows. As such, it is important for every person to perform all the regular tasks of oral hygiene. After all, you wouldn’t want to be caught with bad breath while you’re on a date, attending a meeting, or trying to get your groove on at a party.
Wondering why your breath smells the way it does? Keep reading to find out more!
What are the causes of bad breath?
Bad breath can be caused by a number of reasons and aggravated by a number of factors, but some of the most common causes are as follows:
1. Bacteria
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different species of bacteria in your mouth. Many of these are perfectly good and safe, but an imbalance can cause your mouth to become host to bad breath-causing bacteria.
This can happen if there is leftover food in your mouth that hasn’t been brushed or cleaned away. The bacteria will feed on this food and flourish, causing awful breath.
2. Dry mouth
Saliva is part of the first step in digestion, and also works to keep the mouth clean and balanced. If you are not producing enough saliva, that means the natural cleaning agent that keeps your mouth fresh is not present. If this is the case, then consult your local dentist. There might be a problem with your salivary glands, or other conditions. Certain medications can also cause dry mouth.
3. Gum disease
Bad breath is a symptom of advanced gum disease. Should plaque build up on your teeth and make their way to your gums, you can experience recurring instances of bad breath. If this keeps happening even with your healthy dental routine, it might be time to take a trip to your local dentist.
4. Food
There are plenty of foods that can cause bad breath solely because of the way they smell. Onions, garlic, and so on are some examples. There are other types of food that also affect the internal chemistry of your mouth, such as coffee.
5. Smoking
Smoking not only hurts your lungs and heart, but can stain your teeth and irritate your gum tissues. Not only that, but it can inhibit the tongue’s ability to perceive certain flavors. Studies have proven time and time again that cigarettes have been known to heighten the risk of gum disease, which in turn can manifest as bad breath.
The problem with smoking is that it can also inhibit your sense of smell, which can hinder your ability to realize that your own breath smells terrible.
6. Medical conditions
Even if you brush and floss regularly throughout the day, gargle as recommended, and do everything right on a daily basis, bad breath is still a possibility. Sinus conditions, gastric reflux, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, and plenty of other conditions can cause bad breath. Your healthcare provider and local dentist might be more aware of what you can do to alleviate this.
Final thoughts
Bad breath can and will happen to everyone, but with proper dental hygiene, you could minimize the chances of it. By brushing and flossing at least twice a day, gargling with mouthwash, and keeping dental devices such as dentures and retainers clean, you can talk to people without fearing that breath smells horrible.
If, however, you find yourself suffering from bad breath even with healthy habits, give us at Dental House MI. We are a team of local dentists in Ypsilanti dedicated to keeping you and your family healthy. We also provide free exams and x-rays for new patients.
