Having bad breath is the worst, and it can be a really embarrassing experience, no matter the context. Unfortunately, bad breath can strike at the most inopportune times and it’s not always avoidable. However, the good news is that you can easily combat it without much effort at all. Knowing what causes bad breath, also known as halitosis, is half the battle.
There are many reasons why your breath may stink, but for the most part, you can track it down to five common reasons. Let’s take a look at those reasons and the solutions you can implement to tackle your bad breath.
- You aren’t taking good care of your teeth. The first reason you should consider is how well you are taking care of your teeth, gums and tongue. If you aren’t brushing your teeth as often as you should—at least twice a day—or flossing at least once a day, you are encouraging your breath to stink. Leftover food particles in your mouth are breeding grounds for bacteria, which can smell bad. Ignoring your oral health can also lead to gum disease and other oral health complications, which all come with their own host of side effects.
To avoid bad breath from poor dental hygiene, start brushing and flossing regularly.
- You’re eating stinky foods. Foods with strong odors are notorious for causing bad breath. Once you eat these kinds of food, you may think you can brush the smell away. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Brushing only temporarily covers the smell. You’ll have to wait until the food has completely digested and left your body before you can be sure the stink will stay away.
To avoid bad breath from stinky foods, avoid eating those foods altogether. If you can’t completely swear off odorous foods, prepare yourself for bad breath with breath mints or gum until you’re done digesting.
- You use tobacco-based products. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, you likely know that your breath is going to smell because of it. Bad breath caused by tobacco products is almost impossible to cover up with brushing or mouthwash, and tobacco can wreak havoc on your teeth and overall oral health.
To avoid bad breath from tobacco usage, stop using tobacco-based products.
- You’re sick or have sinus problems. When you’re sick, especially with respiratory illnesses, your mouth is full of smelly bacteria. You may also experience bad breath from other problems like sinus issues and acid reflux. All of these sicknesses cause problems in your mouth and can be a major, but temporary, cause of halitosis.
To avoid bad breath from sickness, focus on getting healthy again and try to keep your immune system on top of its game.
- Your dry mouth might be to blame. If you suffer from regular dry mouth, it might be to blame for your halitosis. When you have dry mouth, it means that you aren’t producing enough saliva to combat bacteria, dead skin cells and other smell-producing materials in your mouth. If you think you might suffer from halitosis by means of your dry mouth, take some time to speak with a doctor or dentist for a solution.
If you’re having a hard time battling your halitosis, set up an appointment with us as soon as possible. We can give you an examination and help you overcome your bad breath.