It’s safe to say that all of us suffer from bad breath on occasion. But if you experience bad breath on a regular basis, it could be a sign of either poor oral hygiene habits, undesirable habits, or some other health problem. What follows is a list of reasons why you could dealing with bad breath.
Personal Habits
Bad breath could stem from something very simple, like the kind of foods you eat, for example. If you regularly enjoy foods that are very strong smelling – such as onions and garlic – you will undoubtedly experience bad breath. In these instances, even mouthwash won’t work until the foods have finished going through your system.
Smoking is another personal habit that can result in bad breath. When it comes to smoking, bad breath is probably the least of your concerns. Smoking is a bad habit that compromises your overall health and your oral health, not to mention your breath.
It’s not just smoking tobacco that’s bad – chewing tobacco also has dire consequences. Not only does it cause bad breath, it also stains your teeth and is one of the leading causes of oral cancer and gum irritation. If you do it over a period of time, both smoking and chewing tobacco will also reduce your ability to taste foods and drinks.
Poor Oral Hygiene
If you don’t brush and floss often enough, you’ll experience bad breath. When food particles stay inside your mouth, bacteria grows. That bacteria causes bad breath. The remedy is simple: brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. You might also consider using an anti-gingivitis mouthwash to kill the bacteria.
And you’re not immune from bad breath if you wear dentures! Be sure to properly clean your dentures every day to prevent bacteria from forming.
Other Health Problems
If you can’t attribute your persistent bad breath to personal habits or poor oral hygiene, it could be due to some other health issue. Bad breath is one of the first signs of gum disease. This is often indicated by other symptoms as well, such as gums that are irritated, swollen, bleeding, or reddish-pink in color. Untreated cavities can also cause bad breath.
If you have dry mouth (xerostomia), you may also experience bad breath. Dry mouth can be caused by different medications, sinus problems that necessitate breathing through the mouth, or problems with the salivary glands.
Other infrequent causes of bad breath include more serious health conditions, such as sinus infections, liver or kidney problems, diabetes, or chronic acid reflux issues. If you suffer from persistent bad breath, try changing your habits and improving your oral hygiene routine. If that doesn’t work, talk to your dentist and/or doctor to find out what might be causing it.
