Bad Breath: Finding the Cause and Cure

If you’ve suffered from bad breath, you know how embarrassing it can be. Even if no one else notices or you manage to cover it up with gum, it will often make you feel self-conscious. Fortunately, by learning to understand what causes the condition, also known as halitosis, and taking some simple, practical steps, you can get relief from bad breath! Read on to learn more.

Common Causes

Although there are some exceptions, the majority of bad breath cases result from one or more of the following causes. Whilst some are easier to address than others, many can be addressed quite easily once they’re identified.

Eating Strongly Scented Foods

Some foods with a strong odor can be smelled on the breath, potentially even hours after they’ve been eaten. Common offenders include garlic, onions, fish, and seafood. If you have bad breath that’s more noticeable after you’ve eaten certain foods or has one of these distinctive smells, then you’ve likely found your cause.

Once you’re aware that a specific food contributes to your bad breath, you can eliminate it from your diet or take steps to mitigate its impact. These could include ensuring that no food debris is left in your mouth after you finish eating, only having it when you’re not going to be close to other people, or making sure you have some pleasantly scented mints or gum handy.

Smoking and Tobacco Usage

Smoking and chewing tobacco can both directly cause your breath to smell bad and contribute to other oral issues that lead to bad breath and other, more serious complications.

Although it’s possible to attempt to cover the smell of tobacco on the breath, it’s often difficult to do completely and is far from the preferred solution. It’s much better to quit using tobacco products entirely due to the significant risks their use poses to both your dental and your overall health. This can be difficult to do, but professional support is available.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Bad breath can often stem from poor oral hygiene, as it can result in food debris remaining in the mouth for extended periods of time, a buildup of bacteria, and gum disease. Each of these factors can contribute to your mouth having an unpleasant smell.

Ensuring that you regularly brush, floss, and use mouthwash can have a significant impact in a short amount of time, both in terms of improving your breath and reducing your risk of developing other oral health issues. Having regular checkups with your dentist should also be part of your oral hygiene routine, regardless of whether you’re experiencing issues.

Infections

If the gums are not properly cared for, they may become infected, which can result in an unpleasant smell as well as other symptoms such as redness and pain or discomfort.

If you’re concerned that your mouth is infected or you’re in pain, it’s best to speak to your dentist. They’ll be able to provide the appropriate treatment, restoring your mouth to good health and clearing the bacteria that are causing your bad breath.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth, or xerostomia, can also contribute to bad breath. Although this condition can have many different causes, dehydration can be a common cause and one that is easy to address. Ensuring that you drink enough water throughout the day may be enough to provide some relief if it’s a contributing factor to issues with your breath.

What to Do Next

If you’re unsure why you’re suffering from bad breath, you’ve not experienced a satisfactory improvement after making the lifestyle changes described above, or you’re otherwise concerned about your oral health, the next step is to visit your dentist. They’ll be able to examine your mouth to identify any issues and provide appropriate treatment as well as offering you more tailored advice on how to address your bad breath and any other aspects of your oral hygiene you may be struggling with.

At RiteSmile Dental, our experienced dentists in Sugar Land are always happy to help, regardless of whether you’re currently experiencing any oral health issues or you’re just in need of a checkup. Contact us for more information or to book an appointment.