Do You Have Bad Breath?
Nothing is worse than wanting to kiss someone and then smelling his or her bad breath. What causes bad breath? Halitosis (bad breath) is common and can be caused by something you eat or it could be the result of a more serious oral health issue.
Most times, bad breath is caused by poor oral hygiene. If you do not clean your teeth regularly, food particles can remain and cause a buildup of bacteria on your teeth, which produce the odor. Having a consistent oral care routine is the best defense against bad breath.
Different types of food and drink can create a bad odor as well. Food, such as onions, garlic and certain spices, can cause odor. Coffee is another culprit of bad breath. Due to coffee’s intense flavor and a decline in saliva production from the caffeine, less saliva means an increase in odor-causing bacteria, after drinking a cup, you might experience bad breath. Alcohol consumption can lead to bad breath because drinking alcohol causes a decrease in saliva production. Eating a diet that is high in sugar can result in bad breath because your naturally existing bacteria feed on these sugars to create a sour smell.
Another culprit of bad breath is smoking, which could lead to more serious oral health issues. These tobacco products may damage gum tissue and cause gum disease.
When we are awake, we produce saliva to keep our mouths clean by removing food particles. When we sleep our production of saliva slows or stops, hence the reason why you might have a dry stinky mouth when you wake.
Prescription medicines list its side effects on the bottle. One of the most common side effects is dry mouth, which causes saliva production to decrease while increasing odor-causing bacteria. Some medicines release chemicals that can travel to your breath through your blood stream.
Please be aware that bad breath could be a result from another health condition such as respiratory and tonsil infections, sinus problems, diabetes, liver and kidney issues and postnasal drip. Bad breath could be a warning sign, so if your bad breath persists please speak to your doctor.
Knowing the cause of your bad breathe is the first step to curing it. But figuring which is your exact cause and proper course of action can be tricky on your own. More importantly, sometime bad breathe is a sign of a more serious dental health issue. So, if you’re still experiencing bad breathe after following the above steps, contact Smiles by Bergen Dental and make an appointment with Dr.Farinas-Han. Smiles by Bergen Dental is conveniently located in Midland Park New Jersey, within minutes from Ridgewood, Wyckoff, Glen Rock, Paramus, Ramsey, Allendale, & Saddle River.
