A foul breath in our mouth is something that always worries us in our daily lives. It can come at any moment, whether it is at the workplace, a date, or even as we carry out with our lives.
For this article, we shall be reviewing what can cause foul breath, how to tell if you have it right away, common ways to address it, and how to keep it fresh throughout the day with the help of Los Algodones dentists.
What causes foul breath?
There are several reasons why a foul breath can appear and linger for unpleasant amounts of time. Most of the time, a lingering bad breath is a side effects of something else.
Common causes
Here are some of the most common reasons that can help you rule out what it is:
- Lack of dental habits. A lack of daily brushing and flossing gives way to plaque buildup. As you know, bacteria in our mouth use sugars and food as fuel to deliver damage to our tooth enamel.
- Diet. The food we consume throughout the day can draw the line between a good or foul smelling breath. Foods with strong odor such as garlic, onion and spices in general are the usual offenders.
- Dental problems. Dental issues such as cavities and tooth decay can be the real reason behind this. As such, no matter how strict we are with our dental habits, it will always appear as if out of nowhere.
- Smoking. The use of cigarettes and tobacco products brings a whole lot of disadvantages with them. Some of them are: tooth staining, bad breath, gum recessions and several types of cancer.
- Dry mouth and xerostomia. Having a lack of saliva production means that the mouth cannot hinder and stop the bacteria from doing harm. As such, the bacteria are free to do everything they want, which is releasing harmful acids that do not smell pleasant at all.
- Medication. Certain medications can have side-effects that affect our breath. You are free to consult with your dentists about them for the chances there is an alternative you can use.
- Stomach complications and diseases. Some stomach conditions, such as acid reflux, play an important role into this subject. Likewise, liver disease, diabetes, postnasal drip, or even an infection in the respiratory tract can be the underlying cause.
How to tell if you have bad breath right away
Here we will give you some quick ways that can show you if you currently have bad breath.
The most common way is to give a lick to your wrist or the back of your hand, let it dry, and then smell for any unpleasant smells. Another way is to see how fuzzy your tongue is, the fuzzier it is the more likely it is for bacteria to be sitting there. As a last way, you can ask someone you trust, a second opinion is always valuable.
How to address foul breath
Our dentists in Los Algodones have given us some tips for all of us out there to practice. These are not only sure to minimize our chances of having bad breath, but will also improve our dental health.
- Brush and floss daily. Practicing good oral health habits is sure to keep bacteria and plaque buildup away. Sometimes the stench comes from food bits or plaque that has been left unaddressed. This also includes brushing and scrapping your tongue and mouth.
- Use a mouthwash. A mouthwash or mouth rinse can prove extremely useful in these scenarios. There are cosmetic and therapeutic mouthwashes we can make use from. Cosmetic ones masks smells for a set time, whereas therapeutic ones address a specific problem with active components.
- Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated keeps bacteria away. It also helps washing bacteria and food particles. If it is tap water, it is known to include fluoride which increases our tooth enamel.
- Visit your dentist twice a year. Visiting the dentist makes sure that we get a routine dental cleaning and checkup. This will tell us if we have been doing a good job or if we are missing somewhere. It is also a great way to prevent problems from escalating.