A Family Dentist Shares 5 Common Causes of Bad Breath

Nothing can kill confidence like bad breath, as any family dentist will attest to. It can cause terrible self-awareness, starting a cold sweat in the middle of conversation due at slightly sideways glance. There are few experiences as dejecting as the hopeless search for a mint or piece of gum at a party to cure bad breath, or halitosis. While aimlessly searching and stopping random strangers it is natural to wonder at the cause of the predicament.

Five common causes of bad breath

Food

Certain foods may be what are causing bad breath. The good news is eating garlic and onions will not cause permanent bad breath like some causes to be named later. However, they can be noxious. Consider heeding the advice of the wise chef who said, “Only eat as much garlic as the person you want to make out with.” Bringing a mint to dinner is also a solid strategy.

Smoking

Everyone, from mothers to family dentists, know that smoking is bad for health. One nasty consequence in the short term may be bad breath. When compounded with gum erosion this halitosis might worsen.

Inconsistent dental hygiene

Poor hygiene will exacerbate the bad breath caused by eating and smoking. Refusing to brush twice daily and to floss as is recommended by the family dentist may allow food particles to stick around the mouth. This will prolong the time bacteria are allowed to go after them which will increase plaque and tartar build up. Not only can this lead to serious infections, but it will also not smell good.

Failure to clean the tongue may also lead to bad breath, as the tongue is liable to be coated in food and the residue from drinks with sour odors, like coffee. It is also common for children with retainers or elders with dentures to suffer bad breath from poorly cleaned inserts.

Infections

There are several ways the mouth can become infected. One is as a complication from oral surgeries. Another is through the build-up of plaque over time. Not only does the plaque leading to the infection cause bad breath, but so does the infection itself.

A vicious cycle can be formed when infections are left untreated. They make it uncomfortable to brush, and can bleed when flossed, discouraging these necessary tasks. When brushing and flossing are neglected bad breath will only get worse. This cycle can be prolonged especially when the person suffering from halitosis, along with the other conditions, refuses to see a family dentist.

Dry mouth

Dry mouth is typically caused overnight during sleep, hence the term morning breath. Consuming foods and drinks that stink, smoking, not brushing before bed, and not drinking enough water can all contribute to morning breath. The sensation cotton mouth associated with marijuana smoking is a form of dry mouth characterized by bad breath. Clogged nasal passages during sleep, which force mouth breathing, may also result in dry mouth and bad breath.

Conclusion

Certain foods and drinks, smoking, inconsistent oral hygiene, oral infections and dry mouth are causes of bad breath, or halitosis, known to family dentists.

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