Bad odour in any form can cause social and personal inconvenience. While a slight smell after eating or drinking something with a strong smell is normal, consistent bad breath can point to deeper, more serious issues that ought to be treated. In our preventative dentistry section, we mention that a dental check-up can help to prevent bad breath from occurring. In this blog we look at 8 reasons for bad breath and ways to prevent it!

8 Causes of Bad Breath

Cause 1: Dry mouth: You can sometimes hear when a person is suffering from dry mouth as they speak. Although it is not always the case, bad breath usually accompanies the problem. Dry mouth is caused when a lack of saliva is produced to kill the bacteria in your mouth that causes bad breath.

Cause 2: Gum disease: Gum disease is caused by plaque which is a sticky substance that coats your teeth. The excess plaque could mean that your teeth are not being cleaned often or properly and this too could cause bad breath.

Cause 3: Certain medications: Some medications can cause dry mouth or bad breath as a side effect. If you suspect that your medication is a problem, you might want to consult with your doctor.

Cause 4: Smoking: The smell of cigarettes in your breath is usually not attractive, add coffee to that and the odour can be very unpleasant. Not only does tobacco stain your teeth, it affects your sense of smell, so you may not be aware of your bad breath.

Cause 5: Breathing through your mouth: This is common among people whose nasal passages are blocked, and it may result in dry mouth.

Cause 6: Bacteria: More than 300 types of bacteria can be found in your mouth and the wet, warm environment allows for it to grow. This bacteria feed on the foods and drinks we consume and produces a bad odour in your mouth.

Cause 7: Food: Some food has a strong smell that can remain in your mouth for hours. These include garlic, onion, ginger etc.

Cause 8: Medical Conditions: Diabetes, liver disease and a host of other illnesses may reduce your body’s ability to fight off bacteria, in turn, causing bad breath.

8 Tips to reduce bad breath:

1. If you use dentures or a removable device like Invisalign, make sure to clean the device properly with toothpaste and warm water.
2. Should you suffer from constant bad breath, try to rinse with salt water after every meal. This will help rid your mouth of odour causing germs.
3. Brush and floss: Although this is basicsome people are not accustomed to it or forget to brush twice a day and floss once. On those lazy days when flossing seems like a mission, it is important to keep in mind that brushing only cleans 60 percent of your teeth surface with flossing killing 40 percent.
4. Stay hydrated: Dehydration can cause a dry mouth which leads to bad breath
5. Do not forget your tongue: Sometimes we spend too much of time cleaning our teeth and forgetting about our tongue. When this is the case, you will notice a white, yellow or brownish coating on your tongue where most of the bacteria can be found.
6. Mouthwash: Over-the-counter mouthwashes can be used as a short-term solution to help kill bacteria and temporarily mask bad breath.
7. Quit Smoking: Overall, this a bad habit that is not good for your teeth, gums and overall body.
8. Visit Your Dentist Regularly: Bad breath could be caused by gum disease or tooth decay which should be treated by your dentist before the condition escalates. A professional cleaning also gets rid of build-up of tartar that could be the cause your odour problem. Contact us today to get a check-up which can check for bad breath!Together we can get to the root of your problem so that you can lead a good and healthy life. Book an appointment with us today!