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Bad Breath and Bacteria

Bad breath happens. If you’ve ever gotten that not-so-fresh feeling on a date, at a job interview or just talking with friends, you’re not alone. Studies show that 50 percent of adults have had bad breath, or halitosis, at some point in their lives. There are a number of reasons you might have breath odour. While many causes are harmless, it can sometimes be a sign of something more serious.

Bacteria

Bad breath can happen anytime thanks to the hundreds of types of bacteria that naturally lives in your mouth. Your mouth also acts like a natural hothouse that allows these bacteria to grow. When you eat, bacteria feed on the food left in your mouth and leaves a foul-smelling waste product behind.

Dry Mouth

Feeling parched? Your mouth might not be making enough saliva. Saliva is important because it works around the clock to wash out your mouth. If you don’t have enough, your mouth isn’t being cleaned as much as it should be. Dry mouth can be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems or by simply breathing through your mouth.

Gum Disease

Bad breath that just won’t go away or a constant bad taste in your mouth can be a warning sign of advanced gum disease, which is caused by a sticky, cavity-causing bacteria called plaque.

Food

Garlic, onions, coffee… The list of breath-offending foods is long, and what you eat affects the air you exhale.

Smoking and Tobacco

Smoking stains your teeth, puts you at risk for a host of health problems and contributes to mouth odour. Tobacco reduces your ability to taste foods and irritates gum tissues, tobacco users are also more likely to suffer from gum disease.

Medical Conditions

If your dentist has ruled out other causes and you brush and floss every day, your bad breath could be the result of another problem, such as a sinus condition, gastric reflux, diabetes, liver or kidney disease. In this case, see your healthcare provider.

How Can I Keep Bad Breath Away?

Brush and Floss

Brush twice daily and floss to get rid of odour causing bacteria.

Mouthwash

Over-the-counter mouthwashes can help kill bacteria or neutralize and temporarily mask bad breath. The longer you wait to brush and floss away food in your mouth the more likely the odour will return.

Clean Your Dentures

If you wear dentures be sure to take them out at night and clean them thoroughly before using them again the next morning.

Keep That Saliva Flowing

To get more saliva moving in your mouth, try eating healthy foods that require a lot of chewing like carrots or apples. You can also try chewing sugar free gum or sucking on sugar-free candies.

Quit Smoking

Giving up smoking is good for your body in many ways. Not only will you have better breath, you’ll have a better quality of life.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

If you’re concerned about what’s causing your bad breath, make an appointment to see your dentist. Regular checkups allow your dentist to detect any problems such as gum disease or dry mouth and stop them before they become more serious. By determining your mouth is healthy your dentist can refer you to your primary care doctor for tests.

Bad Breath: Why you have it and how we can help you.

When you chow down on your favourite foods, you’re also treating the bacteria in your mouth to a great meal. When they snack on the food left behind after your last meal they release foul-smelling odors as a by-product, causing bad breath.

Cleaning your teeth after every meal greatly reduces smells left behind. This includes brushing, flossing, and using a mouth wash, such as Lysterine.

Certain foods and beverages can also increase the likelihood of bad breath. Things like garlic, onions, coffee, alcohol, and sugary foods and drinks cultivate bad breath. Instead, choose foods high in water content such as carrots, celery, and apples which work like a “natural tooth brush” and scrub plaque bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth. Drinking water regularly also helps by washing away food debris and increasing saliva flow in your mouth.

Morning breath is a problem we all face. During the day our saliva works to wash away food debris and keep bacteria in check, however, at night our saliva production goes down – causing our mouths to become dry and creating the perfect breeding ground for odor.

The best way to keep your morning breath in check is to follow a good oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing before bed and when you wake in the morning are great preventative measures, but also using a tongue scraper and keeping a glass of water at your bedside to keep your mouth moisturized through the night.

Bad breath is manageable but if the severity doesn’t lessen after taking these preventative steps it may be a sign of a larger problem. Gum disease, diabetes, sinus problems, gastric reflux, and liver or kidney disease can all present bad breath symptoms.

Dr. Shahriary and staff are here to help you with all of your oral concerns. If you’re concerned about your bad breath, come see us for your personalized recommendations!