Most people wake up to the unattractive stench of bad breath, brush their teeth and floss, and move on with their days. However, some people may be having long-lasting bad breath issues with no end in sight. There are six very distinct problems that could be affecting your body and causing your unending days of bad breath. We will show you the causes and several solutions you can try to help alleviate your breathy problems.
Problem 1: Bacteria
When it comes to bacteria, there are hundreds of types that are naturally alive in your mouth and causing some bad breath in there. Unfortunately, our mouths are like a Petri-dish as it is a warm environment, which allows the bacteria to grow. In addition, they feed on the food left in your mouth, which then leaves foul-smelling waste behind. So gross!
Problem 2: Dry Mouth
Dry mouth occurs in people who are not making enough saliva. This can be caused by a number of situations:
- medications
- gland problems
- open-mouth breathing
- certain foods
When you experience dry mouth, the saliva is not able to help rinse out your mouth, so the stench just sits there.
Problem 3: Gum Disease
Consistent and persistent bad breath can be the first major sign that you have advanced gum disease, which is caused by plaque. This type of bad breath will consistently leave a bad aftertaste in your mouth.
Problem 4: Food
There are definitely foods that will make your bad breath even worse. Avoid foods such as garlic, onions, coffee, fish, and spicy foods, among others. Be especially cautious in caring for your mouth after eating these foods.
Problem 5: Smoking & Tobacco
Smoking and tobacco use are some of the worst ways to develop bad breath, and also causes mouth diseases and stained teeth. Tobacco reduces the person’s ability to taste foods and irritates the gum tissue in your mouth, while smoking affects your sense of smell. Additionally, tobacco users are more likely to suffer from gum disease.
Problem 6: A Pre-Existing or Recently Developed Medical Condition
Many possible medical conditions can have bad breath as a side effect. Some of the most common diseases include:
- Mouth infections
- Sinus infection
- Gastric reflux
- Diabetes
- Liver or kidney disease
Solve Your Bad Breath Problems Now!
At The Complete Dentistry of Orland Park, we can offer several solutions to help you battle any bad breath problems you may be experiencing by helping you make slight adjustments to your daily oral hygiene and your lifestyle choices.
Brush and floss daily. Make sure to floss first to remove all the plaque from in-between the teeth, and then finish off by brushing for a solid two minutes. Do this two times a day or after every meal for the best results and freshest breath.
Take care of your tongue. Bad breath bacteria actually hides out on your tongue in a white or brown coating on the back of it. Take time to brush or use a tongue scraper on it to clear all that bad bacteria out.
Use mouthwash daily. Mouthwash is only a temporary solution, but it does help kill and neutralize bacteria in your mouth and provides short-term masking of your bad breath.
Find methods to keep your mouth salivating. The easiest way to keep saliva in your mouth is by eating healthy, chewy foods, such as carrots and apples. Sugar-free gum and candies can also help produce saliva in your mouth. For more severe dry mouth issues, talk to a dentist about getting artificial saliva.
Quit your bad smoking and tobacco habits. These habits are dangerous and pose a threat to your overall health, including your mouth. Quitting will increase the quality of your life, be good for your body, and result in fresher breath.
Stop in for your routine visits with The Complete Dentistry of Orland Park! Regular checkups, meaning at least twice a year, sometimes more for those with serious mouth issues, are necessary for keeping up with your mouth health. When you visit your dentist regularly, he or she can help detect problems, such as gum disease or dry mouth, and help you solve them. In addition, if nothing appears wrong with your dental health and you are still having bad breath issues, it may be a medical concern. Your dentist can refer you to your acting physician to determine the underlying problem.
Make your appointment with The Complete Dentistry of Orland Park today by calling 877-478-1353 and let us help you battle bad breath and maintain minty freshness and bacteria-free breath going forward!
