6 Common Causes Of Bad Breath
If you have bad breath, you may feel pretty self-conscious. The thought of someone noticing your less-than-fresh breath can definitely make you want to go hide in a corner. Although there are plenty of sprays, gums and other products for bad breath, they are only temporary solutions. If you want to get rid of your halitosis for good, you need to determine the cause of it. Here are six common causes of bad breath:
Dry Mouth
When you stop producing an adequate amount of saliva, you can develop dry mouth, which can lead to bad breath. Other symptoms of dry mouth include dryness in your throat, difficulty chewing and swallowing, a changed sense of taste and thick saliva, according to the Mayo Clinic. Before you can effectively treat dry mouth, you have to figure out what is causing it in the first place. If your dry mouth is caused by your medication, for example, your dentist may suggest switching medications. If you get dry mouth while you sleep, try drinking a glass of water before you go to bed and keep a humidifier in your room.
Foods and Drinks
If you consume certain foods and beverages, you are more likely to have foul breath. For example, according to WebMD, garlic and onions can lead to bad breath because they contain sulfur compounds that are absorbed by your bloodstream. Coffee and alcoholic beverages also can cause bad breath because they dry out your mouth. If you still want to have these foods and beverages on occasion, you should at least drink some water afterward.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is one of the more serious oral health issues and can lead to several problems, including bad breath. When there is bacteria on your gums, it can move to other parts of your mouth, including your tongue. Before you can get rid of bad breath, you have to treat the gum disease. For example, if the gum disease is not extremely advanced, a dentist, such as those at Image Dentistry, could give you a root scaling and planing treatment, which involves removing hardened plaque from underneath the gum line. If the gum disease is in the later stages, you may require a flap surgery. During this procedure, the oral surgeon will lift the gums back and remove the tartar.
Smoking
Smoking can have some pretty unpleasant effects on your body, including bad breath. When you smoke tobacco, it damages the blood supply in your mouth and dries it out. To reduce bad breath and your risk of other diseases, you should make an effort to quit the habit. If it is too difficult to do on your own, ask your doctor about anti-smoking strategies.
Sinus Problems
If there is excess snot in your system, it can go down to your throat and cause stinky breath. If you think you may have a sinus problem, it is necessary to see a nose and throat specialist soon.
Gastric Reflux
Gastric reflux can cause a sour taste in your mouth, leading to stinky breath. You can reduce the risk of gastric reflux by taking over-the-counter antacids and not eating right before you go to sleep. If that does not solve the issue, you may need to see a doctor about the issue.
Whether your bad breath is caused by gum disease or dry mouth, it is possible to find a solution. However, if none of these methods work, you should make an appointment to see your doctor right away. He will give you a full examination and determine if an underlying condition, such as diabetes, is causing your bad breath or not.