If you’re suffering from bad breath, you aren’t in it by yourself. It is estimated that 1 in 4 people suffer from bad breath on a regular basis. Unfortunately, this not only affects your self-confidence, but it can also affect your relationships and intimacy. Though bad breath may be more common than one would like, it is possible to identify the root cause and reverse its effects.
The first step is knowing why it happened. Below, we list 10 common causes of bad breath. Consider whether any of this information applies to you and how you can proceed with treatment.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Keeping up with your dental hygiene goes well beyond simply brushing and flossing. You need to ensure that you’re also cleaning the entirety of your mouth, including your tongue. Additionally, it’s recommended to receive two routine dental cleanings per year. This will ensure that the bacteria that has been built up in your mouth has been removed. If you are suffering from gum disease or cavities, this can also attribute to bad breath. It is in your best interest to address these issues with your local Tampa bay dentist.
Eating Flavorful Food & Drinks
You should also be aware that ingesting specific food and drinks can also attribute to common causes of bad breath. This includes foods like onions, garlic, certain vegetables, and spices. Why? It all comes down to these foods and drinks having odor-causing food particles that enter your bloodstream and carry to your lungs. Ultimately, these will affect the odor of your breath upon each exhale.
Coffee
If you’re a lover of a coffee–we have some unfortunate news for you. Coffee, in fact, can also be an attributor to bad breath. The aftermath of drinking coffee leads to a decline in saliva production. Saliva cleans out the mouth so the less of it, the more that odor-causing bacteria can accumulate.
If you believe that your bad breath is attributed to drinking coffee, it’s suggested to limit your intake.
Alcohol
Similar to coffee, alcohol also declines saliva production. The more of it you drink, the less saliva that is produced to clean your mouth. If you, too, are an alcohol drinker and experience bad breath, it is recommended to limit your alcohol intake.
High-sugar Diets
Diets high in sugar and protein are also a culprit of bad breath. Depending on how sugars interact with existing bacteria in your mouth, you could experience the effects of bad breath.
Smoking
Bad breath as a smoker comes as no surprise. With its very strong smell, it is understandable that smoking can lead to bad breath. If you’ve been struggling with bad breath due to smoking, it’s better to kick the habit altogether. Not only can you experience bad breath from smoking, but it can also lead to greater health issues.
Digestive Issues
If you experience acid reflux quite often due to poor digestion, constipation, or bowel disorders, this can also lead to bad breath. It is suggested to address this issue with your physician to eradicate both the digestive and bad breath issues.
Dry Mouth
Have you ever noticed that when you wake up in the morning, your breath has the strongest odor? This is because when you sleep, your saliva production lessens. Lacking the necessary amount of saliva production in your mouth is a lead contributor to bad breath. If the problem persists, you’ll need to consult with your local Tampa bay dentist.
Prescription Medication
Many individuals experience bad breath due to their prescription medication. Dry mouth is also a side effect of taking specific kinds of prescriptions. If you have cottonmouth, you can not only experience bad breath but a significant amount of discomfort. In the instance that you are battling cottonmouth and common causes of bad breath is due to your medication, you should consult with your doctor to see if you have other options.
Other causes
Bad breath is linked to many varying medical conditions. The best way to confront the issue is by discussing your experience with your physician. There have been many accounts of bad breath being a warning sign for other diseases and health conditions. Consult with your doctor as soon as possible.
Get your routine dental cleaning
Fixing your bad breath may be as simple as getting the cleaning you’ve neglected. Call (813) 961-1727 to set up a consultation!
