If you have ever experienced bad breath throughout the day, even after brushing your teeth, know that you are not alone. Bad breath is a very common condition also known as halitosis. It is estimated that 25 to 50% of Americans struggle with bad breath, which can leave them with a drop in self-confidence and concern for oral health. Most of the time, causes for bad breath are benign and are not a reason for concern, but occasionally there is a root cause of bad breath that should be addressed by your dentist. In this article, we explore all ways bad breath can occur even after brushing your teeth and how to combat this pesky condition.
Understanding Bad Breath
Studies show that nearly all cases of bad breath are caused by poor oral hygiene, bacteria left on the tongue, or poorly kept dentures. Most of the time, bad breath is an embarrassing condition, but is caused by a reversible habit. Why does bad breath occur? Bacteria in the mouth release sulfur producing compounds which are responsible for that malodor. This means if you are not brushing your teeth well or leaving plaque and food debris behind, there is a lot of opportunity for sulfur compounds to be released causing bad breath.
The most common causes of bad breath are:
- Foods – Foods that have a foul odor and release a sulfur compound like onion and garlic can cause bad breath, especially if they are left around your teeth for long periods of time
- Tobacco products – Smoking cigarettes and nicotine are one of the leading causes of bad breath and can cause oral cancer
- Poor oral hygiene – People who don’t brush or floss regularly are more likely to have gum disease and periodontal problems, resulting in halitosis. Your tongue is also very likely to trap bacteria that causes a sulfur odor.
- Medications – There are medications that cause people to have a dry mouth, which often results in dry mouth causing bad breath.
The Role of Oral Hygiene
Brushing your teeth is important to keep your teeth and gums in tip top shape and avoid bad breath, but it is not the only way you should be caring for your oral health. Flossing daily, tongue scraping, and a fluoride mouth rinse are also highly recommended by dental specialists to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, which are often responsible for bad breath.
The best way to help reduce the chances for bad breath is to keep up with your oral hygiene using an American Dental Association (ADA) approved fluoride toothpaste twice each day. You should drink water regularly to help decrease the amount of sulfur releasing bacteria in the mouth. If using toothpastes and rinses don’t help, it is important to consider other reasons why you have halitosis.
You may have an underlying medical condition like a sinus infection that is contributing to bad breath. In fact, nose, throat, and sinus infections can likely lead to postnasal drip, which produces more mucus in the mouth.
Common Causes of Bad Breath
Below are four causes of bad breath and recommended treatment to help fight this annoying condition:
1. Periodontal Disease
Advanced gum disease can be treated by your dentist or another oral specialist, like a periodontist. Periodontal cleanings remove tartar, plaque, and bacteria above and below the gum line. Addressing gum disease is one of the best ways to combat bad breath because it fights the source of the maloder smell, bacteria.
2. Poor Oral Hygiene
If poor dental care is causing bad breath, your dental team will also recommend ways to maintain good oral hygiene and reduce bad breath at home like toothpaste, rinse, and floss. You can also develop a better home care regimen to maintain your hygiene.
3. Plaque Buildup
If you have extensive plaque buildup, your dentist or periodontist may suggest an antibacterial mouthwash. You should also brush your tongue daily to remove bacteria. Tongue scrapers are ideal to remove unwanted bacteria that can contribute to bad breath and tooth decay.
4. Health Conditions
Some underlying medical conditions can cause bad breath. GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and other stomach issues may mean you need to see a gastroenterologist to address these problems, which will help your overall health as well as your bad breath.Sometimes tonsil stones in the back of the throat are the cause of bad breath because they are small pockets of bacteria that release a malodor.
Tips for Combating Bad Breath
There are several ways to fight bad breath including practicing good oral hygiene. You may be brushing your teeth daily, but are you brushing correctly and using the right products?
Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing will help reduce your chances of bad breath because you are eliminating bacteria that are responsible for the malodor. Remember to brush your entire mouth, including your tongue, cheeks, and roof of mouth. If you wear any appliance like a removable denture or orthodontic appliance, it is even more important to keep them clean and debris free.
Your tongue is one of the top places that harbors bacteria and causes bad breath. Does your tongue look pink or is it covered in a whitish or yellow film? Chances are if you don’t scrape your tongue, it will contain millions of bacteria biofilms that are responsible for halitosis. Get a stainless steel tongue scraper and you’ll quickly notice the difference in appearance and feeling of
Make sure to use a mouthrinse that is not alcohol based because it can dry your mouth and contribute to bad breath.
Quitting smoking is recommended to lower your risk of periodontal disease, prevent dry mouth, and help improve your overall health.
It is important to drink plenty of water which helps improve saliva content and lowers your chances of tooth decay. Eating healthy foods stimulates saliva production and prevents dry mouth that causes bad breath. If you chew gum, sugar-free gum is a good option to stimulate saliva production and fight dry mouth and bad breath.
Remember to visit your dentist for routine visits and professional cleanings to catch smaller problems early on and prevent long term oral health conditions. Discussing your concern with your dentist about bad breath may be a simple solution of changing toothpastes or quitting a habit that is causing the condition.
Conclusion
Bad breath can be embarrassing, but it doesn’t have to be a forever condition! Take control of your oral health by discovering what could be the underlying cause for bad breath. If you brush your teeth and still experience bad breath, it could be a variety of things ranging from not flossing or brushing your tongue, or taking medications that result in dry mouth. Remember that when you address oral health conditions quickly, the sooner you’ll be on your way to fresh breath and a brighter smile. Contact Caldwell, BIlls, Petrilli & West today for more information!