Admit it: you’ve held your hand in front of your mouth and breathed hard and then sniffed. We’ve all done it. Turns out, it’s actually not a good way to check for bad breath: “When you breathe, you don’t use your throat the same way you do when you talk. When you talk, you tend to bring out the odors from the back of your mouth (where bad breath originates), which simply breathing doesn’t do.” (Source)
The causes of bad breath can be as simple as too many onions in your egg salad sandwich. It can also be an indicator of something more serious so if it’s a persistent issue for you, and not related to your lunch, take a look at some of the causes of bad breath and what you can do about it.
Oral sources
80% of bad breath comes from oral sources. What do we mean by that? Cavities, gum disease, cracked fillings or dentures that need cleaning are examples. If you are not in the habit of brushing and flossing regularly, bacteria builds up on the food particles left in your mouth, resulting in bad breath. Regular visits to your dentist for cleanings will help to identify, and correct, these sources of bad breath.
Food and Smoking
Stinky foods like onions and garlic can definitely contribute to temporary bad breath, as can smoking. Make sure you brush your teeth after eating, if you can, or at the very least, drink some water to help dilute and remove some of the excess food particles.
Also, hunger contributes to bad breath in the following ways:
- When one is hungry, saliva decreases and is not washing away plaque, debris and bacteria.
- Digestive juices in the stomach are still being produced, even when you are not eating, but because there is no food, these acidic juices begin to break down, causing a foul smell.
- “Ketosis”: this is where there is a breakdown of fats from the body. When this happens, ketones are released, which can create bad breath.
Dehydration is another major cause of bad breath – so avoid it by drinking water and staying hydrated!
Diseases
- Dry mouth – this is a condition that is often caused by medication though many people experience it because of sleeping through their mouths, resulting in the dreaded ‘morning breath’.
- Post nasal drip and sinusitis – the bacteria forms in the throat and contributes to bad breath.
- Acid reflux
- Bronchitis or other respiratory tract infections
What can you do about it?
- Brush and floss regularly – consider using an electric toothbrush, which gives a more consistent motion and is, for some people, more effective at removing plaque.
- Visit your dentist to rule out any oral health issues, such as gingivitis or cavities.
- If your oral health is good but you are still experiencing bad breath, visit your doctor to rule out any medical conditions.
If you’re looking for a family dentist, we’d love you to check us out! We have dentist offices in both Milton and Scarborough, both with evening and weekend hours, so give us a call today at our Milton dental office at (905) 636 – 9770 or at our Scarborough dental office at (416) 291 – 0306. Give us a call to book an appointment and let’s get started!
