3 Causes of Embarrassing Bad Breath
Bad breath is a cause for self consciousness in most people, whether or not they even suffer from it. We’ve all been in a situation where we needed to make a good impression and the thought “Does my breath smell?” pops into our heads, with no way to answer it and, worse, no way to immediately correct it. While a diligent oral hygiene routine is a great place to start in the fight against bad breath, sometimes it just isn’t always enough. Bad breath can come in many forms and for many reasons, so it’s important to be informed about how this problem develops in the first place. If you’re concerned about the smell of your mouth, take a peek at the list below to identify a potential cause of your problem!
1. Smoking is a leading culprit.
The list of reasons to quit smoking is miles long, but perhaps the pursuit of better breath is the push over the edge you need to finally give it up. Smoking, especially habitually, causes tar to build up in the lungs and mouth, leaving a smoky, pervasive stench behind even hours after the cigarette has left your mouth. After years of smoking, the smell can linger on ones breath seemingly indefinitely. Smoking also dries out the mouth and a lack of saliva is a leading cause of bad breath, as saliva helps to wash away harmful and stinky bacteria. Quitting is the best way to avoid smokers breath, but sugar free gum and mints can help cover the smell while you try to cut back.
2. It could be starting somewhere else.
Acid reflux, heartburn, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are all ailments that affect the stomach but have far reaching impacts. Gas and acid—and the smells they produce—churning up in the stomach can travel up the esophagus and be released through the mouth, causing unpleasant breath. You may need to visit a specialist to help quell these gastrointestinal issues, but sometimes your dentist is the first doctor to even notice a problem!
3. You’re brushing enough—just not at the right time.
If you brush your teeth twice a day but still wake up with bad breath, it may be time to take a look at the timing of your brushing. It’s important that when you brush your teeth at night, you do so after you’ve consumed all of your food and drinks for the day, apart from water. If you brush your teeth and then have a midnight snack, small bits of food can linger in your mouth while you sleep and these are a great breeding ground for smelly bacteria. Apart from waking up with bad breath, having bits of food in your mouth overnight is a surefire way to develop cavities!
All of us will have bad breath from time to time, but chronic smells could indicate a problem. If you’re suffering from bad breath and can’t seem to figure out why, it may be time to consult your dentist directly.
To schedule your next appointment, give us a call at Hinsdale Dental in Hinsdale, IL today!
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