Everyone experiences bad breath as a natural reaction to bacteria in the mouth. Waking up each morning is often accompanied by bad breath, an inevitable occurrence when saliva production is stalled and bacteria overproduce. Though we all experience occasional bad breath, some factors cause frequent bad breath, hindering self-confidence and affecting our day-to-day lives.

Keep reading to learn about some common causes of bad breath and how to prevent it so you can gain confidence in your smile without worrying about how your breath smells. 

Why Does Bad Breath Happen?

We briefly explained, but let’s dive deeper to learn about the science of why bad breath happens. Whether you fall into a deep sleep for 8 hours or a light sleep with frequent interruptions from a restless night’s sleep, you’ll wake up with bad breath. Why? Whenever you fall asleep, whether for a nap or a full night’s sleep, saliva production comes to a halt. Saliva helps wash away bacteria that cause bad breath, but less saliva washes away less bacteria.

A dry mouth allows bacteria to multiply, causing an unpleasant smell when you wake up each morning. Though bad breath is the result of a dry mouth, other factors also contribute, like medications and oral hygiene.

Common Causes of Bad Breath

Bad breath doesn’t just occur when we wake up each morning. Below are some common causes of bad breath:

Poor Oral Hygiene

If you don’t brush twice a day and floss daily, you could be harming your teeth and causing bad breath yourself. As mentioned, bad breath occurs when bacteria multiply and someone fails to maintain excellent oral hygiene. The less you brush and floss your teeth, the more foods and plaque adhere to teeth and gums, allowing bacteria to multiply quickly and causing a foul odor in your mouth. Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss daily to limit the bacteria in your mouth and to freshen your breath.

Diet

Gum health and diet are directly linked, as are bad breath and a poor diet. A healthy diet with whole foods, plenty of vegetables, and lower-sugar fruits leads to a fitter physical appearance and a healthier body. But did you know it can also lead to a fresher mouth, limiting bad breath? 

When you eat healthy foods, fewer sugars and starches cling to the teeth, which can produce more plaque and bacteria. Foods rich in minerals and vitamins don’t stick to your teeth like sugary treats or processed foods high in carbohydrates. As a general rule, avoid these foods to prevent bad breath: sticky and chewy candies, coffee and sodas, ice cream/milkshakes, fried foods, and starchy foods like potato chips.

Tobacco Use

Smoking and oral health are associated with many myths, one that vaping doesn’t hinder teeth or cause bad breath. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Smoking and tobacco use, whether smoking a cigarette or vaping, causes yellow teeth, tooth decay, and bad breath. The chemicals found in tobacco, like nicotine and tar (yuck!), cause bad breath as bacteria in the mouth break them down. They aid in bacterial growth and a dry mouth, causing bad breath and other unpleasant oral health concerns.

Medications

Medications and your oral health are also directly linked. Millions of Americans take prescription medications, often with unpleasant side effects like drowsiness and nausea. Unfortunately, bad breath is another common side effect of some medications. Why? Some prescription medications cause dry mouth, a condition that exacerbates bacterial growth, causing an unpleasant odor in the mouth. Combat oral side effects of medicines by drinking more water and using a mouthwash for dry mouth.

ENT Conditions

We can develop ear, nose, or throat conditions that cause bad breath. Whether you are diagnosed with a bacterial infection, a virus that causes fluid in the sinuses, or tonsil stones, ENT conditions can cause bad breath. Luckily, once these conditions are treated, the bad breath associated with them will subside.

Diseases/Disorders

Did you know that some diseases and chronic illnesses can cause bad breath? Whether you have oral cancer, xerostomia (dry mouth), diabetes, gastrointestinal concerns, or other diseases or disorders, it may be causing bad breath. Your family dentist can recommend products or routines that freshen your breath and improve your self-confidence.

How to Prevent Bad Breath

Though bad breath is unpleasant, it can often be prevented. Follow any of these tips for preventing bad breath:

 

Any of these tips will help with bad breath prevention. Of course, other things can help, and your family dentist can guide you toward bad breath prevention.

Schedule a Dental Cleaning with Rhoades Family Dentistry Today

Rhoades Family Dentistry provides dental care for the whole family, examining the current state of your teeth and gums and offering advice about protecting teeth and bad breath prevention. Dr. Hahn and Dr. Driscoll care about your oral health and go above and beyond, offering exceptional dental care and treatments for patients of all ages.

Book an appointment today by scrolling up and clicking “BOOK AN APPOINTMENT” on the top left of your screen or by calling (913) 782-8900. We look forward to serving you by providing excellent dental care and giving your family healthy smiles!