Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be quite a stressful issue. While it can make for some uncomfortable situations, brushing the teeth or chewing gum can offer a momentary solution. Yet sometimes a bad breath can be an indicator of other health issues that need to be addressed in order to prevent complications.
That's why it's best to schedule routine dental check-ups and talk to a specialist and determine the cause of your bad breath and look for a specific treatment.
So, what causes bad breath? Let's find out!
Reasons You May Have Bad Breath
- Bacteria
Not cleaning your teeth regularly can cause the bacteria in your mouth to grow and multiply. Bacteria live in our mouths, and when we eat, it feeds on the food debris stuck on our teeth and tongue. If you don't clean it by brushing your teeth every day, it can lead to bad breath.
- Gum Disease
If the bad breath is constant, and you can also sense a bad and unpleasant taste in your mouth, this can be a sign of gum issues such as periodontal disease. The bacteria sticks to your teeth and transforms into plaque, which affects your gums.
- Dry Mouth
Dry mouth, also known as Xerostomia, occurs when the saliva production decreases and the mouth cannot clean itself properly. This leads to an accumulation of bacteria that gives bad breath. Dry mouth can be caused by certain medications, salivary gland issues or simply breathing through the mouth.
- Smoking
Tobacco products will not only cause bad breath, but they can affect your overall health too. Smoking also increases the risk of having a periodontal disease or irritated gums, among other conditions.
- Food
Certain foods such as garlic, canned tuna, or dairy products can also cause bad breath. What you eat influences your oral health, including your breath.
- Poor Oral Hygiene
The best way to prevent bacteria from growing is by having proper oral hygiene. We're not only talking about brushing your teeth regularly but doing it correctly. There can be several growing bacteria on the tongue also, or the back of the tongue, which makes it even more important to take care of our mouths as a whole. Also, by cleaning the teeth properly, you make sure there is no food left in between the teeth that will allow the bacteria to grow.
- Certain Health Conditions
Bad breath can also be caused by certain health issues that are not necessarily related to oral health, such as gastrointestinal disorders, postnasal drip, chronic sinusitis, or liver or kidney disorders.
Dental Professionals in Del Mar
It is best to talk to a healthcare professional and determine the cause of the bad breath and together find solutions and treatments that will help you solve this problem.
At Del Mar Dental Studio we are a caring, cosmetic restorative dental team with great attention to detail.
Send us your message and let us know what your concern is. We are here to help and welcome you.
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