Oral Habits That Increase the Risk of Bad Breath

Oral Habits That Increase the Risk of Bad Breath

Jan 01, 2023

What Is Bad Breath?

It is any foul smell that comes from your mouth. However, there is a difference between having bad breath momentarily and when it is a dental condition that needs treatment. At Encanto Family Dental Care, we offer treatment for Halitosis, which is the term that describes the condition of bad breath.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Everyone has bad breath every once in a while. Having bad breath once does not necessarily indicate that you slack in oral hygiene or have an underlying condition. Various factors can cause you to have bad breath, indicating the need to visit a dentist’s office near you for an examination. Some of the factors include the following:

  1. Poor oral hygiene for a prolonged period – allows plaque to accumulate on your teeth surfaces.
  2. Gum disease – a bacterial infection in your mouth can cause bad breath. The infection starts causing other oral problems like mouth sores and bleeding, which worsen your breath.
  3. Being hungry – when you fast from food and water, you will have bad breath. Skipping one or more meals leaves your mouth inactive for a long period.
  4. Dry mouth syndrome – is a condition that occurs when you have insufficient saliva in your mouth. Various factors can cause a dry mouth, including aging, cancer treatment, or damage to salivary glands.
  5. Breathing through your mouth – causes your saliva to evaporate, leaving your mouth dry and at a high risk of bad breath.
  6. Dehydration – if you are not taking sufficient water, you dry out your mouth.
  7. Excessive alcohol consumption – alcohol dried your mouth. Besides, it has a distinct smell that remains behind long after you have taken alcohol.
  8. Smoking and abusing other drugs – tobacco products and other illegal drugs produce foul breath.
  9. Dental diseases like tonsillitis, tooth decay, and abscessed teeth
  10. Certain medications – medicine like diuretics, antipsychotics, antihistamines, and muscle relaxers leave your mouth drier than usual. Besides, some medicines have a strong smell that can affect your breath, particularly with prolonged use.
  11. Type 1 diabetes and high blood sugar – did you know having sweet breath is also a bad sign? It can be a warning sign of diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening condition.
  12. Digestive problems – patients suffering from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD can have bad breath. It is a heartburn sensation related to the excess acid in your digestive tract.
  13. The foods you eat – any mouth bacteria-altering foods will cause bad breath. Research shows that even a low-carb diet versus a low-fat diet can heighten the risk of bad breath.

Common Foods that Cause Bad Breath

The foods you consume directly impact your dental health. Some foods groups can cause bad breath, including the following:

  1. Coffee
  2. Onions and garlic – the entire onion family can cause bad breath. It gets worse if you eat the food when raw.
  3. Spicy foods
  4. Cabbage and brussel sprouts – are smelly foods that can leave an odor behind.
  5. Canned fish

Remedies for Bad Breath

Depending on the cause of your bad breath, a family dentist in Phoenix can suggest different treatments. Some remedies for bad breath are:

  1. Drink a lot of water – keeping the mouth moist prevents a dry mouth. Besides, water will flush out toxins and food residue that can cause bad breath over time.
  2. Do not skip a meal – create a healthy relationship with food whether you take about three meals each day, spacing them appropriately.
  3. Deep cleaning – is an oral care treatment for gum disease. It entails root planing and scaling, procedures that remove plaque from teeth surfaces and the area below the gum line. Visit a dental office in Phoenix to seek gum disease treatment if you have periodontal disease.
  4. Routine dental cleanings – if you are battling chronic health problems like diabetes, you should maintain your oral health through preventive dental care. Regular teeth cleanings can reduce plaque buildup in your mouth and help fight bad breath.
  5. Quit smoking and taking alcohol.
  6. Brush and floss daily. Ensure you scrape off your tongue to clean it when brushing your teeth.
  7. Clean your dental appliances – good oral health is not just about clean teeth. If you have oral appliances like dentures, ensure they are equally as clean.
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