Bad breath can have a substantial impact on your self-esteem, confidence, and social life. When bad breath is ongoing, it is often diagnosed as halitosis. Understanding the causes of bad breath is important in preventing issues from escalating and protecting your oral hygiene. Here are some important considerations to keep in mind regarding the causes of bad breath and how to sufficiently protect the health of your teeth.
Less Common Causes of Bad Breath
Though there are many common causes of bad breath, it is also important to understand the less common causes of bad breath. These causes can’t necessarily be ruled out without the appropriate examination from your dentist, doctor, or other healthcare professional. Bad breath can be a symptom of much larger underlying issues, which is incredibly important to understand.
A sinus infection can actually lead to bad breath and in many situations, an antibiotic is necessary to resolve a sinus infection. Diabetes can also lead to bad breath. Acid reflux, mouth cancer, liver disease, throat cancer, and a lung infection or cancer are additional less common causes of bad breath.
High-Protein Diets
When you regularly consume substantial amounts of protein, it is possible that you are actually eating too much protein. The body is only capable of efficiently breaking down a certain amount of protein during a certain time period. When you consume more protein than this, the body will not efficiently break it down. This results in the production of amino acids, that can lead to the breath smelling less than pleasant.
Low-Carb Diets
“Keto breath” is a common term for a reason. When you reduce the amount of carbohydrates that you consume, your body will have to compensate in order to make energy. Rather than making this energy from carbohydrates, the body will have to break down fats. This causes the production of acetone, which can result in bad breath. Though keto and other low-carb diets are incredibly popular, it is important to keep in mind that bad breath may be a side effect of implementing these diets into your life.
Medications
Various prescription medications can also cause bad breath. Pay attention to when your bad breath began in order to identify if your medication is the cause behind it. You may have to consult with your healthcare provider if your medication is causing substantial issues. Some medications can cause the mouth to dry out, which allows bacteria to accumulate on the surface. The more bacteria there is in the mouth, the more likely it is that you will experience bad breath.
Consuming Specific Foods
Certain foods can lead to bad breath when you eat them. This is true even when you are taking sufficient care of your teeth. Particularly intense flavors are likely to leave behind odors that will impact your breath. Garlic and onions are two of the most common culprits of bad breath. Pay attention to what you eat when you are concerned about how your breath smells.
Drinking Coffee
Drinking coffee is an action that can certainly lead to bad breath. There are multiple reasons that coffee causes bad breath. For one thing, coffee impacts the saliva production within the mouth. This can cause an environment where bacteria develop quickly. Additionally, coffee has a very intense flavor. This flavor can linger for a while, which results in bad breath.
The additives to coffee can also cause an acid attack to the teeth, which can result in additional oral health problems. Ensure that you take care of your teeth, especially if you drink coffee frequently. Drinking water after consuming coffee is also a great way to remove leftover particles, before they are allowed to have a significant impact on your smile.
Alcohol Consumption
Regularly drinking alcohol can have a large impact on the health of your teeth. Alcohol often contains high sugar levels, which can lead to damage to the protective enamel layer of the teeth. Alcohol can also cause dehydration, which can lead to additional issues with bad breath and the health of the teeth.
Dehydration
It is crucial to ensure that you stay hydrated in order to prevent damage to your teeth. When your mouth dries out, it creates an environment where bacteria grow quickly. This leads to bad breath just as quickly. This is often the same reason why morning breath occurs. Throughout the night, the mouth dries out and bacteria grows. This is why it is important to brush your teeth in the morning to remove bacteria accumulation.
Gum Disease
It is crucial to reverse gum disease when you notice it arising in order to protect the health of your teeth. Gum disease can also lead to bad breath, especially when infections set in. When gum disease has impacted your teeth, you will benefit from a trip to the dentist.
Poor Oral Hygiene
It is extremely important to ensure that you take the steps to properly care for your teeth. Failing to do so often leads to bad breath, as well as oral health problems. You need to visit your dentist regularly for cleanings in order to prevent health problems. You also need to floss every day and brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes. When you don’t care effectively for your teeth, food particles, plaque, and bacteria will be left behind. This causes a foul-smelling waste to emit, which will lead to bad breath. Improving your oral hygiene routine can help to prevent substantial issues and eliminate your bad breath.
Our expert team at Jenson Dental are passionate about keeping your teeth in the best possible condition. When you optimize your oral health, you are likely to eliminate bad breath. Many of the issues behind bad breath reside in the health of the mouth. It is important to obtain regular dental cleaning in order to prevent substantial issues from arising. To learn more about how to prevent bad breath and protect the condition of your teeth, contact us at Jenson Dental today!
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