Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be an embarrassing issue, but the truth is that it affects most Americans to some degree. Halitosis is most commonly the result of the food you’ve eaten breaking down in your mouth and body. As you digest these food particles, the remnants of what you’ve eaten are carried throughout your body, delivering nutrients, but also ending up in your lungs. That’s where bad breath actually comes from, but poor dental habits can have a big impact on your breath.
If you don’t brush your teeth and floss daily, food particles that are left over from your meals and stuck between your teeth or on your tongue grow bacteria that have an unpleasant odor. Some studies have shown that simply brushing your tongue can reduce bad breath by as much as 70 percent.
Have you ever noticed that you have particularly bad breath first thing in the morning? Well, that’s actually very normal. When we sleep, saliva flow almost completely stops, so it has a reduced cleansing ability. Similarly, if you suffer from dry mouth as a side effect of medication or have salivary gland problems, you may be more likely to develop bad breath.
Gum disease or periodontal disease can contribute to bad breath, too. This is because food usually becomes wedged underneath inflamed gums, where it develops odors.
If you suffer from particularly bad breath, talk to your dentist about it. There may be a simple solution, like flossing more often or making sure to regularly have your teeth cleaned. Brushing your teeth and flossing daily is, of course, the best choice for both breath and overall dental health, and you should also replace your toothbrush every two to three months to reduce any lingering bacteria. Certain antiseptic mouth rinses may also help, while drinking water frequently can alleviate some odor, as well.
The important thing to remember is that bad breath affects us all, but there are solutions. Ask your dentist for more suggestions about how to stave off bad breath. To schedule your next dentist’s visit, make an appointment online now or call Genesee Dental at 585-343-1113 today!