Bad breath can happen to the best of us. Your mouth can give off a bad smell if you just had a cup of coffee or devoured a plate full of garlic pasta.
But what if it persists even after you have brushed your teeth?
Prolonged bad breath can be a cause of serious worry, embarrassment, and even psychological distress! It’s no wonder why most people tend to carry gums, mints, mouthwashes, and other products to counter bad breath. However, they are only temporary fixes if the core issues remain undiagnosed and untreated!
Here are three reasons that can contribute to persistent bad breath!
1. Dry mouth
You can feel your mouth unusually dry if you are on regular medication, smoke frequently, or have a tendency to breathe through your mouth. The condition of dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands fail to produce sufficient saliva in the mouth. As a result, the bacteria and germs get a perfect atmosphere to thrive, leading to bad breath.
2. Dental Problems
If you don’t maintain proper oral hygiene, the build-up of food particles and plaque can gradually cover your teeth, causing an unpleasant odor. This also increases the risk of accumulating serious diseases in your gums or teeth!
In fact, in most cases, chronic bad breath or halitosis can result from gum disease or tooth decay. Conditions such as periodontal disease and gingivitis can create cavities or pockets around gums. In this setting, the odor-causing bacteria find a perfect hideaway in your mouth.
3. Certain Mouth, Nose, & Throat Conditions
Bacteria and germs brooding in your tonsils can give off an unpleasant smell. Sometimes, small stones carrying bacteria can form on the tonsils that cause odor besides other discomforts. Also, infections or inflammatory conditions affecting nose, throat, or sinuses can lead to halitosis or chronic bad breath.
How To Prevent Bad Breath?
Often, it is the imbalances of bacteria in the mouth that can cause bad breath. But with regular visits to your dentists, proper oral hygiene, and making healthy choices, you can avoid and cure bad breath. Here are some dentist-recommended remedies that can help achieve fresh breath!
➢ Drinking plenty of water is a solution to many health issues, including bad breath. Take at least two glasses of water in the morning to clear off the bacteria accumulated overnight, and also before and after heavy exercise. Certain medications, medical conditions, and diseases can lower your body’s moisture level. So make sure you drink more water to compensate your body for the water lost!
➢ Maintain optimal oral hygiene by committing to the daily routine of brushing and flossing. Brushing your teeth twice a day and correctly flossing at least once every day can prevent plaque, bacteria and food particles from building up. Also, you can use a mouth rinse after every meal to maintain optimal hygiene all day long!
➢ Cleaning your tongue routinely can help prevent halitosis-causing compounds from collecting on your tongue and in your mouth. Gently clean your tongue using a designated tongue scraper to get rid of any odor-causing bacteria that may be present on the tongue.
➢ Make healthy foods choices to prevent bad breath and improve overall health. You should include those food items in your diet that help soothes an upset stomach and facilitate saliva production. Also, cut down on your sugar intake as it increases the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Here are a few foods that can help:
• Raw fruits and veggies such as celery, cucumbers, pears, and apples
• Probiotic yogurt
• Parsley and basil
• Cherries
• Green tea
• Sugarless gum
• Melons and citrus fruits
• Leafy green vegetables that have pigments of chlorophyll
• Juice of ginger and lemon
Time To Visit Your Dentist
Bad breath is the first sign of an unhealthy mouth. Despite taking appropriate measures, if the problem of bad breath persists, you need to consult your dentist to find and treat the underlying causes. More often than not, people also experience a few of the following symptoms along with bad breath:
• Constant dry mouth
• Broken teeth or dental pain
• Formation of sores or ulcers in the mouth
• White spots on the tonsils
• Pain or difficulty in chewing or swallowing
• Fever or fatigue
If your problem is aggravating or has prolonged for a long time, it can be a sign of something more severe than garlic pasta! Abingdon Box Hill Dentistry is a complete dental care clinic in Harford County, Maryland. Our dentists understand mouth and body connection and help cure oral and dental issues by treating the underlying cause. Call us at 410-569-8500 to book your appointment with our friendly dentists today!
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