Halitosis. Or as most of us know it, bad breath. We’ve all had bad breath at some point in our lives. It can be embarrassing, especially if you’re in an important meeting or wanting to make a good first impression. But what exactly causes bad breath? Surprisingly, there are a number of things that can cause a person to have bad breath. Some of the causes are harmless, and some can be a sign of something more serious happening in your mouth. Curious why your breath might smell bad? Here are some thoughts from your Shelby Township dentist.
Bacteria
Bacteria in your mouth is the most common, non-food related cause of bad breath. When you have too much bacteria in your mouth you can start experiencing bad breath. But why is the bacteria there? Well, there are a couple of reasons. First, you may not be brushing your teeth enough. Think hard about how often and how long you brush your teeth. If you aren’t brushing at least twice per day, and for at least 120 seconds (or two minutes), you probably aren’t getting your teeth and mouth clean. Second, you might not be brushing at the right time. If you brush in the morning before you have breakfast, you might find that you have less than pleasant breath odor. This is caused by the bacteria in your mouth breaking down the food that ends up stuck between your teeth.
Eating, or Not
This is obvious, but it should be pointed out. Some foods will just give you bad breath. Garlic and onions are the first to come to mind. If you eat too much of these kinds of foods, they may leave your breath less than fresh. That garlicy pasta is tasty, but remember to follow that garlic with a good brushing.
Surprisingly, not eating can also cause bad breath. Skipping meals can often make your breath smell bad. The American Dental Association says that dieters can develop bad breath if they don’t eat frequently enough. So, if you are dieting, don’t skip meals. Make sure you have small meals at regular intervals, to avoid bad breath.
Illness and Medications
This can mean a couple of things. First, some bacterial infections in your body can cause bad breath. Sinus infections are a great example. Other more serious illnesses that can cause bad breath include advanced periodontal disease and diabetes. If you have bad breath and brushing your teeth and tongue won’t make it go away, it might be time to visit your dentist and your primary care physician.
If you’ve been fighting an illness and are on medication, you should know that some medicines will cause dry mouth, and in turn, bad breath. Make sure you fully understand the side effects of your medications. If dry mouth is a potential side effect let us know, we can suggest ways to avoid the bad breath that accompanies dry mouth.
Tobacco
If you smoke or chew tobacco, bad breath is one of the best reasons to quit using tobacco. The residual smell of tobacco can linger in your mouth for months after quitting, and many people just don’t like to be around people who have tobacco on their breath. Not only can tobacco make your breath smell bad, but it’s also terrible for your teeth.
What to do About Bad Breath
Fortunately, the easiest way to resolve bad breath is to keep your mouth clean. Make sure you brush at least twice per day and for at least two minutes. If brushing alone doesn’t do it, make sure you are brushing or scraping your tongue to remove bacteria from your mouth. And last but not least, make sure you visit us twice a year, so that we can keep an eye on the health of your mouth and gums.
Searching for the Best Dentist in the Shelby Township Area?
HPS Dental is Shelby Township’s best and most diverse dental practice. Our services range from dental cleaning to more complex services such as whitening, dentures and dental surgery. We also practice wellness dentistry which helps us provide the most comfortable and stress-free procedures possible. If you are looking for a new dentist in the Shelby Township area, look no further. For more information on our dental practice or to schedule an appointment, call us today at (248) 652-0024.
