When dentists discuss causes of bad breath, they typically refer to medical conditions. The two most common medical conditions associated with bad breath include oral malodor or halitosis. These conditions, which occur frequently in adults and children, are treatable.
It is important to note that bad breath can be associated with a more serious oral health issue or a medical issue elsewhere in the body. If you notice problems with bad breath, then you may want to schedule a teeth cleaning with your dentist. They can perform a full assessment to identify the problem.
Common Causes of Bad Breath
Some of the most common causes of bad breath include:
Poor Oral Hygiene
If you don’t brush your teeth or take care of the inside of your mouth, then you can expect to live with bad breath regularly. Food particles can accumulate in your mouth, leading to bacteria, plaque, or buildup. Over time this causes bad breath. What is the best way to remove bad breath? Simply brush your teeth daily.
Food with Strong Flavor
It seems that food these days is filled with all types of flavors. Many of these flavors are derived from salt, sugar, or herbs. The more flavorful the food is, the worse it can cause our breath to smell. Something to remember: flavorful food can get into your bloodstream and back to your lungs. When you exhale, the odor exits your mouth.
Coffee Beans
While we love the aroma and taste of coffee going into our bodies, the odor coming out is less desirable. But what causes the odor? Caffeine can reduce the production of saliva in the mouth. Less saliva allows bacteria to formulate, causing bad breath. Therefore, you should drink a glass of water after your drink coffee so that you can rehydrate. You may also want to brush your teeth or rinse with mouthwash immediately after drinking coffee.
Alcoholic Beverages
Like coffee, the aroma of certain wines or liquors may be pleasing to the senses. However, when you exhale, the smell can be highly offensive. Alcohol has the same effect on the body as caffeine. It can dehydrate your mouth and decrease your saliva production. This allows bacteria to build up, causing bad breath. Try to stay hydrated before, during, and after drinking an alcoholic beverage to reduce bad breath.
High Sugar Diets
One of the leading causes of bad breath is consuming a high intake of sugar. There are multiple ways that sugar can turn into bad breath. The most common way occurs when sugar interacts with the bacteria that is already in your mouth. The combination of sugar and bacteria produces sour smells that are highly noticeable.
Diets Rich in Protein or Low in Carbs
With all the diet fads around, one of the facts that marketers fail to mention is that high protein, low carb diets can cause bad breath. When you do not consume enough carbs, this can alter your metabolism. This results in bad breath. High protein foods release sulfurous gases during digestion. These gases go in one direction or the other. When they come back up through the esophagus they can produce a foul odor.
Smoking
All tobacco products – cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, etc. – cause bad breath. Furthermore, they can lead to other medical problems that, in turn, cause bad breath as well. The odor from smoking is strong and instantly recognizable. Furthermore, it can linger long after you smoke a cigarette.
Time for a Teeth Cleaning? Contact Lovett Dental
One way to reduce the causes of bad breath is to get your teeth professionally cleaned. Lovett Dental Cinco Ranch offers comprehensive dental care in Katy, Texas. To schedule a dental exam or teeth cleaning, call 713-244-7799.