Phew! What’s that smell?
Uh-oh, it could be you! … Bad breath, or halitosis, is one of the most common oral health issues that people experience day to day. Whether it’s that tuna sandwich you had for lunch that is hanging around, or perhaps you have not been flossing on a regular basis. There are many reasons as to why bad breath occurs. The main reason is simply: bacteria. Bacteria leads to plaque which creates a smell on it’s own, and plaque leads to tartar which can lead to gum disease. It is a bad road to travel down, but it is a path that can be redirected if you take the right steps! The first step is trying to find the main cause of your bad breath and then treating it accordingly. So I have compiled this list of the most common causes of bad breath and some easy solutions you can implement into your daily routines:
It is a bad road to travel down, but it is a path that can be redirected if you take the right steps!
Uh-oh, it could be you! … Bad breath, or halitosis, is one of the most common oral health issues that people experience day to day. Whether it’s that tuna sandwich you had for lunch that is hanging around, or perhaps you have not been flossing on a regular basis. There are many reasons as to why bad breath occurs. The main reason is simply: bacteria. Bacteria leads to plaque which creates a smell on it’s own, and plaque leads to tartar which can lead to gum disease. It is a bad road to travel down, but it is a path that can be redirected if you take the right steps! The first step is trying to find the main cause of your bad breath and then treating it accordingly. So I have compiled this list of the most common causes of bad breath and some easy solutions you can implement into your daily routines:
Problem 1. Poor Dental Hygiene: Food gets trapped between teeth from infrequent brushing and flossing, which can lead to a buildup of plaque causing stinky breath. Plaque buildup can also lead to gum disease such as gingivitis or even periodontitis.
Solution: Brush your teeth twice a day and remember to brush your tongue all the way to the back! Floss (just do it!) at least once a day. Make an effort to visit the dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning.
Problem 2. Strong Foods: This one’s a given… many foods and drinks such as coffee, fish, garlic, onions, and alcohol, leave lingering odours in your mouth. Usually the odours fade pretty quickly, but if food gets trapped between your teeth, or bacteria starts to form from sugary foods, it can become harder to get rid of the odour.
Solution: Drink Water & Eat Vegetables – yep, it’s that easy. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps clean your mouth and eating fibrous vegetables such as broccoli, celery, and carrots help clean teeth and prevent plaque from building!
Problem 3. Dry Mouth: This can be caused from a number of reasons. The simplest being “morning breath” that is due to the fact your body reduces the amount of saliva being produced while you’re asleep. A more complex reason people experience dry mouth can be as a side effect from certain medications.
Solution: Chew sugar free gum or try using a mouthwash designed to combat dry mouth such as CariFree Rinse. Bonus tip: I recommend XyliMelts to my patients to help increase saliva, you can order it off Amazon!
These are just a few of the most common causes of bad breath, and some solutions that you can implement into your daily routine to prevent it. But remember, halitosis can be a sign of more serious issues such as respiratory illness, oral disease, or systemic issues and should be treated by your healthcare professional.
If you think you are experiencing chronic bad breath it is best to consult with your dentist, contact our office via Facebook or call 705-755-1100 to book an appointment.