The scientific name for bad breath is halitosis, and it is something that happens to all of us. It also leads us to wonder about the causes of bad breath. The simple answer is bacterial growth in the oral cavity, teeth, and tongue. A sulfuric type odor occurs when our mouths break down our food’s proteins.
However, for some, bad breath is more than a nuisance that happens periodically. Instead of experiencing bad breath first thing in the morning or following a meal, those individuals have bad breath more often. As a result, some of these individuals feel embarrassment or distress. Sometimes, it is also a red flag for an underlying health condition.
Understanding the Causes of Bad Breath
Here are several of the most common bad breath causes:
- Bacteria: Your mouth is full of hundreds of bacteria that cause bad breath. Your mouth also acts as a breeding ground for bacterial growth and spread.
- Dry mouth: Foul odors are more likely to occur when your mouth is dry because bacteria stays in the crevices and crooks of the oral cavity and tongue.
- Food: Some foods like broccoli, garlic, kale, legumes, and onions produce gasses that like to linger in your mouth following a meal.
- Medical conditions: Health conditions, especially those affecting the mouth, could be one of the causes of bad breath. Such issues include diseases of the kidneys or liver.
- Medications: Some over-the-counter medications or prescriptions, like antihistamines, decongestants, and diuretics, as well as prescriptions treating depression and high blood pressure, could cause halitosis.
Do You Breathe Through Your Mouth?
Another one of the leading causes of bad breath is when individuals breathe through their mouths. When doing this, the saliva in your mouth evaporates. As a result, your mouth dries out and reduces the ability to rinse away bacteria and food particles. Sometimes people breathe through their mouths while they are sleeping. Others also breathe through their mouths while exercising.
Are You Maintaining a Healthy Diet?
A healthy diet plays a significant role in the causes of bad breath. For example, if you are skipping meals, that could be problematic regarding producing bad breath. If we are not eating as we should, our mouths are not producing as much saliva. Saliva production is significant because it helps break down and clean away the food particles and bacteria in our mouths.
Fighting the Causes of Bad Breath
There is no need to suffer from bad breath when there are solutions. Here are some treatment options:
- Avoid tobacco: Tobacco use, including chewing and smoking, causes odors that are challenging to remove.
- Brush frequently: You can eliminate the causes of bad breath by physically removing them from your mouth with a toothbrush.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water to prevent your mouth from drying out.
- Visit your dentist: The mouth is the cause for between 80 to 90% of bad breath cases, and your dentist can help resolve them.
- Use mouthwash: You can kill bacteria and neutralize odors by using alcohol-free mouth wash.
Reach Out to Lovett Dental Piney Point Today
While bad breath is a common issue, that does not mean there are no solutions. No one should have to experience the stress and embarrassment bad breath sometimes causes.
Contact our team at Lovett Dental Piney Point at 832-242-2030 to learn more about solutions, as well as how we can offer you support.
