Everyone suffers from bad breath at some point. Bad breath, or halitosis, usually originates in the mouth and can be caused by various factors, including lifestyle, diet, and some health conditions.

Instead of being embarrassed, let’s look at the most common causes of bad breath – and what you can do to solve it.

Read More: 8 Ways to Freshen Your Breath

 

1. Gum Disease

Gum (periodontal) disease starts when plaque (food particles and bacteria) buildup sits on the teeth for an extended time. When you don’t remove plaque by brushing and flossing correctly, the bacteria on your teeth cause toxins to form. Pockets between the teeth and gums are perfect hiding places for food debris and bacteria that cause gum irritation, inflammation – and bad breath.

Solution: The way to stop the bad breath caused by gum disease is to remove the plaque buildup with professional teeth cleaning twice a year. Between dental visits, make sure to brush properly twice a day, floss every night, and use mouthwash to flush away plaque.

Read More: How to Recognize Gum Disease

 

2. Cavities

Like gum disease, a cavity (tooth decay) is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in plaque. As cavities grow, the bacteria break through the outer shell of enamel and work their way into the tooth. When you have a cavity, plaque accumulates inside and causes bad breath.

Solution: To correct bad breath caused by cavities, your dentist must remove the bacteria and fill the hole. Keeping your teeth clean with proper brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings will prevent new cavities from forming.

Read More: Signs You Have a Cavity

 

3. Dry Mouth

Saliva helps remove bacteria, so when you have a dry mouth, odor-causing bacteria aren’t washed away – resulting in bad breath. Most people wake up with “morning breath” because during sleep, saliva production decreases, causing dry mouth and bad breath.

Because saliva fights bacteria, a lack of saliva allows bacteria to multiply. This overgrowth leads to bad breath. A dry mouth is also more prone to cavities and gum disease – which cause bad breath.

Solution: Using alcohol-free oral hygiene products and chewing sugar-free gum will help stimulate saliva naturally. Talk to your dentist if you suffer from chronic dry mouth because you may be at risk for different types of dental disease.

Read More: Functions of Saliva that Promote Oral Health

 

4. Foods and Drinks

This may seem obvious, but certain foods like onion, garlic, and spices can cause bad breath. In addition, coffee and alcoholic drinks can dry out your mouth and promote bacteria that cause bad breath.

Solution: Rinse your mouth with alcohol-free mouthwash after consuming these foods and drinks. If possible, brush or floss to remove any lingering food debris.

 

5. Poor Oral Hygiene

When you don’t brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles remain on your teeth and cause bad breath. Odor-causing bacteria can also collect on the tongue, which many people fail to clean as part of their daily oral health routine. In addition, if you wear dentures, food can become lodged underneath them and create an unpleasant smell.

Solution: Besides professional dental cleanings twice a year, it’s crucial to properly brush your teeth every morning and night, floss daily, and rinse with mouthwash. Brushing your tongue should also be part of your daily oral routine.

Read More: Daily Dental Do’s – 4 Ways to Keep You and Your Teeth Healthy

 

6. Other Issues

Other issues outside the mouth can cause bad breath – sinus infections, tonsillitis, heartburn, asthma, gastrointestinal illnesses, and more. Some medications can also contribute to dry mouth or release chemicals that cause bad breath.

Solution: If you suffer from chronic bad breath but have ruled out the other possible causes inside the mouth, ask your primary care physician to refer you to an ENT or other specialist to determine what may be causing your bad breath.

 

Get to the Root Cause of Bad Breath

Gum, mints, and mouthwash only cover up the problem. Following a proper dental hygiene routine is often enough to improve bad breath.

If you suffer from persistent bad breath, come see Atkins & Anderson Family Dentistry in Bryan/College Station! We’ll perform a thorough evaluation, let you know of any contributing dental causes, and help you find the fresh breath you want.

Saliva is one of those things we don’t really think about very much until it’s lacking. If you’ve ever experienced dry mouth, you know what we mean. When you get stressed or nervous before a big presentation, launching a new product, or asking someone out, many people describe the sensation of dry mouth. You may wonder what is wrong with your mouth and why you can’t swallow or form words. But a dry mouth is not just inconvenient—it’s a threat to our teeth and gums. Saliva is crucial to our mouth functioning correctly so that we can speak, eat, and drink normally. But it serves an even bigger purpose in keeping our mouths healthy.

What is Saliva?

Saliva is made mostly of water, but it also contains substances that help you digest your food and make your teeth strong. Your body makes an average of 2-4 pints of saliva every day. While there are hundreds of small salivary glands in your body, there are six major ones in your mouth where the majority of your saliva is produced. They are located in your cheeks, at the bottom of your mouth, and close to your front teeth near your jawbone. Saliva is made when you chew food and when you suck on hard candies, mints, or cough drops.

What is the Problem with Dry Mouth?

If you are not producing enough saliva and continually suffer from a dry mouth, you may experience discomfort that comes with swollen gums and tissue, or a swollen tongue. Not only is eating and drinking difficult, but a dry mouth is a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. This is what leads to bad breath, and why we often have bad breath in the morning—our bodies produce the smallest amount of saliva at night. No one likes having bad breath. (Or talking to someone with it!) However, the biggest issue with dry mouth is that it leads to a host of other dental problems.

Why is Saliva Important to Oral Health?

Saliva helps rid your mouth of germs and minimizes the opportunity for bacteria growth. After you eat, saliva washes food debris off your teeth which protects your teeth from decay and the formation of cavities. Saliva also slows down the potential for gum (periodontal) disease to develop. This is because saliva contains proteins and minerals that protect your tooth enamel. After you eat or drink, saliva dilutes sugars and neutralizes acid production which controls the formation of plaque. Amazingly, saliva is produced when we eat or drink to protect our teeth and gums from the very things we are eating and drinking!

Saliva is helpful and necessary for a healthy mouth. So, if you’re experiencing dry mouth on a regular basis, it’s time to schedule a dental appointment. We’ll help you determine the cause of your dry mouth and make suggestions to remedy the problem. Our team at Atkins and Anderson Dentistry is here to help you successfully take care of your teeth and gums and work to prevent cavities and gum disease from forming. Scheduling a cleaning regularly is the key to maintaining good oral health and hygiene. So, make your appointment for the whole family today.

Maybe you’re meticulous about brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and scheduling a cleaning twice a year with your dentist. Keep it up! This is the best practice to avoid and prevent oral health problems. But how do you know if it’s time to make an appointment outside of routine cleaning? Below is a list of 8 signs that it’s time to call your dentist. If you notice at least one of these issues, don’t wait. Make an appointment as soon as possible. Ignoring these issues could lead to bigger, more painful problems.

1. Excessive Pain

If you have pain in your mouth, don’t hesitate to call your dentist. If you have localized pain in one area of your mouth or tooth, and swelling in your mouth or face, there could be a number of underlying issues.

2. Changes in Your Gums

If your gums look puffy or bleed when you brush your teeth, make an appointment with your dentist. Find out if there is a history of gum disease in your family and share that information with your dentist. Catching and addressing gum problems early on is crucial to your overall oral health.

3. It’s Uncomfortable to Eat

If you experience discomfort when biting or chewing your food, see your dentist as soon as possible. In the meantime, consume soft foods and liquids so that you don’t unintentionally do more damage to your teeth.

4. Dry Mouth

Always feeling thirsty or feeling that your mouth is constantly dry, are often red flags of an underlying medical issue or a reaction to a medication. The sooner you seek dental care, the better.

5. Jaw Pain

When you wake up with jaw pain, experience pain in your jaw while chewing, or notice a popping sound when you open and close your mouth, it’s time to call your dentist. It’s also important to schedule an appointment if you have an uneven bite. Dental work can correct or prevent jaw pain—it’s not something you have to learn to live with.

6. Spots and Sores in Your Mouth

Call your dentist if a sore in your mouth lasts longer than one week. This can include canker sores, cold sores, leukoplakia, and candidiasis. Mouth sores can be caused by irritation from braces, dentures, or a cracked or broken tooth. But they are often symptoms of an infection, disease or disorder, virus or fungus.

7. You Hide Your Smile

If you attempt to hide your teeth when you smile or speak, contact your dentist. Maybe there is a new reason–a broken or chipped tooth, discoloration, or loss of teeth. Or you wish your teeth were straighter or brighter. There are many restorative and cosmetic solutions your dentist can pursue.

8. You’re Pregnant

In some cases, pregnancy can make dental problems worse. Keeping your scheduled appointment is completely safe for you and your baby. However, many women find that they are most comfortable during the second trimester, so you may consider making an appointment during that time.

Our team at Atkins and Anderson Dentistry is here to serve you and help your teeth stay healthy. Never let embarrassment or fear keep you from scheduling an appointment. In many cases, the sooner you address an issue, you’ll experience less pain and prevent long-term damage. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have pain or notice any of the above issues or need to schedule a routine cleaning and exam.