Suffering from bad breath can be embarrassing, affecting your self-esteem and life. But, most cases of bad breath are completely preventable and can be managed with the right methods. Our Gainesville dentists at Comprehensive Dental Care can help in your goal for healthy, fresh-smelling breath. Contact Comprehensive Dental Care today to schedule an appointment or learn more about our Gainesville dental services for a happy, healthy smile!
Diet
What you put in your mouth can greatly impact your mouth’s health. Eating foods high in water content, such as fruits and certain vegetables, can help wash away bacteria and plaque that cause bad breath. That’s also why drinking water is important to your body’s and mouth’s health. However, what you eat is just as important as what you don’t. Foods such as garlic, onion, and spices can cause bad breath due to how they break down and linger in your mouth. Other plaque-increasing foods, such as sugary foods and drinks, can also lead to bad breath and gingivitis.
Poor Dental Hygiene
While plaque is a natural byproduct of breaking down and digesting food, it’s essential to manage its presence in your mouth. However, good dental hygiene isn’t just about brushing your teeth, which you should do after every meal. Gently brushing your gums, tongue, and cheeks is also necessary for good dental hygiene. Flossing at least once a day is another aspect of keeping your mouth clean and free of bad-breath-causing bacteria.
Dry Mouth Causing Habits
Smoking, including cigarettes, e-cigs, and medicinal marijuana, dry the mouth. Consuming caffeine has a similar effect. A dry mouth creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and makes for bad breath. Dry mouth is the reason for “morning breath,” but stopping habits that cause it can help. While it may be harder to control, habitually snoring can also cause dry mouth..
Medical Reasons
Infections and certain diseases can also cause bad breath. Infections or chronic inflammation in the nose, sinuses, tonsils, and throat, in addition to post-nasal drip, can all cause bad breath. That’s why people usually have bad breath when they’re sick. Chronic acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), certain cancers, and metabolic issues can also cause bad breath. Additionally, some medicines may increase dry mouth and create bad breath. If you don’t believe your bad breath is caused by diet, oral hygiene, or bad habits, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor to rule out any other causes.