Table of Contents
We’ve all encountered people throughout our lives who had an unpleasant-smelling breath and we remember how it makes us feel. We want to get away from the source of the bad breath, this may leave the person who has bad breath feeling confused as to why people are avoiding them. Telling someone they have bad breath can be uncomfortable as they could take offence to it or even worse think you are trying to insult them. Understanding the causes of bad breath and how to combat bad breath can benefit those around you.
Causes of Bad Breath
- Food: When eat food particles break down within your mouth and sometimes end up in and around your teeth, after they have been in your mouth for a few hours bacteria will start to form on these food particles which can be a cause of bad breath. Certain foods can also affect your breath more than others. For example, garlic, onions and spicy food can also make your breath smell, as after you digest these foods they are carried to your bloodstream and are carried to your lungs. This means your lungs can actually exert bad smells into your mouth.
- Gum Disease: Halitosis is an early form of gum disease, it is caused by a build-up of plaque and bacteria along the gum line. This buildup of bacteria within your mouth from gum disease may contribute towards bad breath. If you think you may have gum disease you should make a dentist appointment as they will be able to work with you to come up with a plan of action for the betterment of your teeth. If you are concerned about the appearance of your teeth you can also visit a cosmetic dental clinic who will be able to assist you in improving the appearance of your teeth.
- Tobacco Products: Smoking can cause the smell of tobacco and nicotine that cigarettes give off to linger in your mouth after smoking, also tobacco users are more likely to get gum disease as smoking negatively impacts your immune system which can make getting gum disease more probable.
- Poor Dental Hygiene: If you don’t brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes food particles will remain in your mouth that contribute towards bacteria build-up, additionally plaque bacteria will build up and further contribute to the level of bacteria building up in your mouth, the more bacteria in your mouth the more problems you will have with bad breath. If you wear dentures you need to make sure they are regularly cleaned at least once a day to reduce bacteria build up.
- Medications: Certain medications may promote mouth bacteria as they may cause your mouth to become dry, this can be problematic as your mouth’s saliva contributes to washing food particles away from your teeth. Some medications can also break down within your body and release chemicals which may get into your lungs causing them to release bad breath.
- Infections In Your Mouth: Bad breath can occur due to surgical wounds caused by oral surgeries, such as a root canal or a tooth extraction. Other mouth infections such as gum disease, mouth sores and decaying teeth can also promote bad breath.
- Other Mouth, Throat And Nose Conditions: In rare cases, small stones can form on the tonsils within your throat, bacteria can form on these stones and can be a cause of bad breath. Also, infections within the nose, throat and sinuses can also contribute to bad breath.
- Other Causes: Other causes include some cancers and metabolic disorders disorders which can cause mouth order due to the chemicals they produce. Chronic stomach acid reflux could also be a contributor to bad breath.
Understanding what causes bad breath and how to avoid it is not only beneficial to you but to others around you as well. If you are still struggling with bad breath after learning and acting on some of these causes you may want to visit your dentist in Wakefield or another health professional to seek further guidance.
