Have you noticed that you experience persistent bad breath? Or even worse, maybe your romantic partner has picked up on this odor? You may assume that it’s caused by poor dental hygiene, but there are some other factors that can contribute to this problem. Keep reading to learn what’s really causing your bad breath according to your dentist in Holbrook.
Dry Mouth
If you’ve always wondered why your breath doesn’t smell fresh in the morning, it’s because you produce less saliva while asleep. Saliva washes away bacteria and food particles that cause bad breath. However, smoking, coffee, alcohol, and skipping breakfast in the morning can make it more difficult for your mouth to produce saliva. That leaves the food and bacteria stuck in your mouth, leading to a foul odor.
The Foods You Eat
The foods that you eat also have a direct impact on your breath. After you digest foods, the odors pass through your bloodstream and into your lungs, which can also lead to persistent bad breath. Foods with strong flavors like garlic and onions can obviously cause an odor in the mouth, but you should also watch out for diets high in sugars or protein. Bacteria feed on sugar, so when it’s present in the mouth, it can cause an even worse smell.
Certain Medications
A common side effect of various medications is dry mouth, which promotes the growth of bacteria in the smile. High blood pressure, depression, and anxiety medication can have this effect, but so can prescription drugs for chemotherapy and Parkinson’s disease. And, most notably, illicit drugs such as methamphetamine can cause severe bad breath and damage to the smile.
Cancer
Cancer is another common cause of bad breath. Especially in older people who have had long lives of routine tobacco use or heavy consumption of alcohol, cancer in the nasal passages and upper throat can lead to foul odor in the mouth.
Get Rid of Your Bad Breath!
The first step is making sure that you have a proper daily brushing routine—twice a day for two minutes each. You should also floss to remove plaque and bacteria from in between your teeth. For an extra layer of cleaning, add mouthwash to your routine! Just make sure to use nonalcoholic mouth rinses because alcohol promotes dry mouth. Additionally, drink water consistently to help saliva flow and wash away bacteria. Lastly, watch out for the foods you eat. Try working veggies and fruits into your diet because they can act as natural toothbrushes, scrubbing your teeth and washing away plaque.
Are you ready to give your smile the freshness it deserves? Remember to watch out for these reasons for bad breath!
About the practice
At Pearl Dental Associates, we have a team of 4 dentists who combine their knowledge and training to make your dental experiences amazing. They know bad breath is a common issue, which is why they wanted to provide you with this important information. If you have any questions, they can be reached through their website or by phone at (781) 767-0979.