5 Reasons You Have Bad Breath

Bad breath is a common issue. It hampers communication, which is an important part of your everyday routine. This eventually affects your confidence. Bad breath may not seem serious, but it could be caused due to conditions like gingivitis, cavities, decay, etc. It is imperative to consult a dentist if the issue persists for a prolonged period.  There are various other reasons that result in smelly breath. Here are some bad breath causes that you should be aware of if you are suffering from the issue:

1. Poor Oral Hygiene

Not following an oral care regimen can lead to food particles getting stuck in between your teeth and in the corners of your mouth. The presence of harmful bacteria along with stuck up food particles can lead to cavities and decay, resulting in bad breath. Brushing twice and flossing once regularly can help you get rid of the bad breath problem. When you have orthodontic appliances like dentures, braces, and fixed bridges you need to take extra care to maintain proper oral hygiene. It is necessary to clean your orthodontic appliances properly after every meal to avoid the build up of odor causing bacteria and the formation of cavities.

2. Breathing through the Mouth

Some people breathe through their mouth while sleeping or while exercising. When you breathe through your mouth, the saliva in your mouth gets evaporated leaving your mouth dry. This reduces the ability of your mouth to rinse away the food particles that cling to your teeth. Plus, a dry mouth is home to harmful, odor causing bacteria. This results in smelly breath. Keep your mouth hydrated and eat food items that stimulate saliva production. Eating healthy, crunchy food items like carrots, celery, and apple, and drinking lots of water helps keep your mouth hydrated and fight bad breath.

3. Eating Onions and Garlic

Bad breath can stem from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract as well. Whatever you eat, its smell tends to stay in your mouth, until it is absorbed in your bloodstream. When you eat food items like garlic, onions, and radishes, their smell stays in your mouth for a long time, resulting in a stinky breath. Brushing your teeth after consumption of such foods can help get rid of bad breath. Furthermore, consuming these foods in minimal quantities can also help you fight the issue of bad breath.

4. Skipping Meals

Another reason that causes bad breath is skipping meals. Skipping meals means low saliva production, leaving your mouth dry and thereby, causing bad breath. Saliva helps wash away stuck up food particles and debris. Insufficient saliva production leaves your mouth dry, inviting build of harmful bacteria and diseases, causing bad breath. Eating healthy and on time stimulates saliva production and helps mitigate bad breath.

5. Excessive Consumption of Tobacco and Alcohol

Consumption of tobacco and alcohol increases the amount of odor-producing bacteria and issues in your mouth. The acidic nature of alcohol makes your mouth dry, leads to erosion of the enamel, cavities, and decay, thus, leading to bad breath. Smoking or chewing tobacco gives out bad breath. To get rid of the smell people consume sweets, colas, or tea and coffee. These sweet and acidic foods can lead to cavities and decay. Thus, leading to a smelly breath.

Bad breath can take a toll on your confidence and also cause various oral health issues. It is not difficult to combat bad breath . Practicing healthy oral habits and visiting a dentist regularly can help prevent bad breath and other oral health problems.