Causes of Bad Breath or Halitosis
At Lovett Dental Sugar Land, we treat cases of bad breath, also known as halitosis. This is a common condition in adults, and which can usually be helped with general dentistry services for halitosis and other oral health issues. There are many causes of bad breath, from what you eat to serious health concerns.
General Oral Health
Poor dental hygiene causes most cases of bad breath. Clean your teeth regularly to prevent food particles from remaining in your mouth. Otherwise, a sticky buildup of bacteria forms a plaque on your teeth. Your tonsils and tongue trap food particles and bacteria and contribute to bad breath. As part of a comprehensive oral hygiene routine, consistently clean your whole mouth. The dentist at your routine teeth cleanings in TX can help you improve your daily oral care habits.
Eating Flavorful Food & Drink
Eating spicy foods creates odor-causing food particles to enter the bloodstream. They make their way to your lungs and affect your breath when you exhale.
Coffee
Coffee is one of the major causes of bad breath. Because of its intense flavor, coffee lingers on your breath throughout the day. After you drink it, your saliva production declines. Consequently, odor-causing bacteria can build on your teeth and tongue.
Alcohol
Alcohol consumption also produces bad breath. The more you drink, the worse your breath becomes. Drinking alcohol also decreases saliva production. When your mouth is dry, bacteria flourish.
High-Sugar Foods
Diets high in sugar and protein contribute to bad breath. The bacteria in your mouth feed on sugars, resulting in a sour smell. Cut back on sweet food to improve your breath.
High-Protein
If you don’t eat enough carbohydrates, you may develop bad breath. Depriving your body of carbs while on a special diet changes your metabolism. Conversely, high-protein foods are harder for your body to digest and release sulfurous gases. Eating too much protein or too few carbs can cause bad breath.
Smoking
Quit smoking to improve your breath and overall oral health. Chewing tobacco, pipes, and cigarettes cause your breath to stink and can lead to many undesirable oral health problems. For example, smoking damages your gums. Our periodontic service in Houston can help keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Digestive Issues
Those suffering from constipation, poor digestion, or bowel disorders may experience bad breath. For example, acid reflux disseminates odors from the food you’ve digested.
Dry Mouth
Saliva helps you keep a clean mouth because it removes food particles. If your saliva production slows, you can develop xerostomia, also known as dry mouth. This often happens when you sleep, resulting in the infamous “morning breath.” However, if you have dry mouth during the day, you should ask your Lovett Dental Sugar Land dentist to determine other possible causes.
Prescription Medication
Many prescription medicines cause dry mouth. This helps odor-causing bacteria to thrive. Additionally, some medications release chemicals in your bloodstream that can impact your breath.
Other Causes of Bad Breath
Most causes of bad breath involve odor-causing bacteria. However, other health conditions contribute to halitosis. Postnasal drip, respiratory infections, diabetes, kidney and liver issues, and certain blood disorders leave you with bad breath.
Improving your oral hygiene keeps bad breath in check. So, remember to floss daily, use germ-killing mouthwash, and brush at least twice a day. Be sure to make regular appointments for teeth cleaning and annual checkups.
Dental Care in Houston, TX
Lovett Dental Sugar Land provides adult and pediatric dental services in Houston, TX.
Our services include:
- General dentistry
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Pediatric dentistry
- Specialist services
If you want to learn more about the causes of bad breath, contact Lovett Dental Sugar Land today by calling us at 281-759-5900 to make an appointment.
