Do You Have Bad Breath?

  • Dental Health   •   April 12, 2022

ARE YOU SELF CONSCIOUS ABOUT YOUR BREATH? Now that the mask mandates have lifted? We all hit that point of being “over” wearing our masks, but now that they are gone, we can smell everything! Do you find your self doing a “breath check” before a function or when you are about to go speak to someone? Bad breath can be embarrassing and can induce anxiety, so let us talk about some reasons you may have bad breath and what we can do to help it.

What Are Some Causes Of Bad Breath

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be caused by something simple like poor oral hygiene, but can also be more complex then that. Eating certain foul smelling foods such as onions and garlic can leave your breath smelly, but also the remnants of food sitting in your teeth can cause bacteria, which contributes to it as well. The foods you consume and digest are carried out into your blood stream and into your lungs and can affect your breath. We also need to look at medications you may be taking on a daily basis that have an affect on your mouth, such as inhalers. Certain medications can dry the mouth out and without constant saliva in our mouths, naturally cleaning and removing debris, bacteria can thrive and create a foul smell. Some medications can be broken down in the body and release chemicals that can be carried on your breath.

Our Oral health can also be a reason we may have bad breath. Things like tooth decay, tooth abscesses’ or chronic gum disease can play a huge role is how clean your mouth may smell. Not only is Oral health a key component, but also our overall health affects how your breath smells. People with constant ear, nose and throat issues, that struggle with sleeping or breathing with their mouths open constantly can suffer from bad breath. Even people with larger medical issues and chronic diseases such as cancer, acid reflux or other metabolic disorders can be associated with having bad breath.

Tips And Tricks For Dealing With Bad Breath

Here are some tips to help deal with bad breath.

  • Make sure to have a regular check up and cleaning with your general dentist to rule out any issues and keep everything clean.
  • Watch what foods you are consuming; try adding probiotics, fruits and vegetables to your diet.
  • Make sure you are brushing and flossing daily, try adding in a tongue scraper and alcohol free mouth wash.
  • Speak to your medical doctor about the medications you are taking if you are finding they are drying your mouth out.
  • Try chewing sugar free gum to help stimulate saliva production.
  • If you are a smoker, try quitting.
  • If you suffer from dry mouth make sure you are constantly sipping on water.
  • Speak to your dentist and medical doctor about the issue and have them rule out any medical concerns.

Get Your Confidence Back!

Even though you may be feeling overwhelmed or discouraged, rest assured you are not the only person dealing with this common issue. Hopefully these tips we have shared with you today are helpful and remember, if you have any concerns please reach out to your general dentist and they will be able to guide you into finding a solution.

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Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

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