Bad breath is something that no one wants to deal with, but what causes it? In this article, we’re going to cover some of the causes of bad breath plus what you can do to prevent it.

Causes of Bad Breath

There are several reasons why you may be experiencing bad breath, they include bacteria, dry mouth, gum disease, food, tobacco, and certain medical conditions. While most of these are harmless, some can be more serious and should be discussed with your dentist or a physician.

Bacteria, although not all of them are bad, can cause bad breath. The bacteria that are present in your mouth are a direct result of the types of food that you eat. If the bacteria are feeding off of certain foods the result is less than kissable breath.

Saliva helps keep your mouth clean and if you do not produce enough saliva, it may result in halitosis (bad breath) since there isn’t enough saliva to properly clean your mouth. There are a few causes of dry mouth, including certain medications or issues with your salivary glands.

Your mouth can also become infected and result in foul-smelling breath. Certain medical conditions such as respiratory or sinus issues, diabetes, liver or kidney diseases, and gastric reflux will result in bad breath as well.

As if you need another reason to quit, smoking and tobacco use is not only bad for your overall health but also makes for terrible breath. Even worse, tobacco use affects your sense of smell so you can’t even tell how your breath smells!

Plus, tobacco use and smoking cause gum disease another cause of bad breath. Bacteria resulting in plaque is a contributor to developing gum disease, can also result in bad breath or even just a bad taste in your mouth that won’t go away. 

What Can I Do for Bad Breath?

If you know that you have bad breath, the first thing you’ll want to do is find a solution to fix it.

Luckily, there are several remedies you can use for fresh breath.

Maintaining a regular dental care routine is a good first step in defeating bad breath. That should consist of twice-daily brushing and flossing. This helps to remove the bacteria that can cause bad breath. Mouthwash can also be a good addition to fighting halitosis, even if it is only a temporary solution.

If you have dentures, make sure to remove and properly clean them as well as remove them at night. You can click here to read an article on properly caring for your dentures.

Quitting smoking and the use of tobacco products not only will help your breath but also improve your overall health.

Finally, regular visits to your dentist to make sure there are no serious issues that cause bad breath. Make an appointment today for your check-up at our office.