Bad breath is not only embarrassing but can also be a sign there is an underlying problem with your dental health. Here are five things that can cause bad breath:
Your Diet
It just takes one Caesar salad at lunch to show you just how much your diet can affect your breath. Everything you eat is absorbed into your system and will eventually make its way into your lungs. That is why when you eat something strong such as garlic it affects your breath. You are literally breathing out the odors of the food you eat. Unfortunately in the case of garlic you will have to wait until the food is out of your system. Sugarless gum will help, but brushing and mouthwash won’t do much to completely remove the odor.
Bacteria
Bacteria lives in your mouth all the time. When you have healthy dental hygiene habits you help to keep bacteria to a minimum. However when you are not properly brushing and flossing you are allowing food particles to remain in your mouth and these food particles will begin to decay and produce more bacteria. This always leads to bad breath.
Periodontal Disease
Poor dental health can lead to bad breath as it can affect the health of your gums. Periodontal disease is caused by an irritation of the gums due to plaque build-up and bacteria that can release irritating toxins.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is not only uncomfortable, it is also a condition that can cause issues with your dental health. Dry mouth can be caused by a number of things including some medications and issues with your salivary glands. Saliva is nature’s mouthwash and it will continuously help wash away bacteria in the mouth. If you have dry mouth there will be more bacteria in your mouth which will lead to bad breath.
Health Conditions
There are many health conditions that can lead to bad breath. Your dentist can help identify dental issues and let you know if it could be caused by underlying health conditions.
Brushing and flossing twice daily will keep your breath smelling fresh. A diet rich in Vitamin C helps fight bacteria as does natural cinnamon and green tea. Keeping your mouth hydrated will also reduce bacteria in your mouth. Sipping water and green tea will help. See your dentist if you are suffering from bad breath to help rule our serious issues.
