You brush. You floss. You see the dentist, and even try to eat a healthy diet. But your breath still stinks. Why? Shouldn’t you have fresh breath if you maintain good dental health?
In this blog from Buckwalter Dental Care, we’ll help you understand why your breath may be smelly even if you’re doing a good job keeping up with your dental health. Learn more about bad breath (halitosis) below!
When you sleep, saliva production decreases, and you’re more likely to sleep with your mouth open, which dries out your mouth. This leads to increased bacteria levels in your mouth.
So if your mouth is smelly, but only in the morning, this is the likely issue. To keep your breath fresh, just brush thoroughly at night before bed, and brush immediately when you wake up. If your breath smells fine for the rest of the day, then you’ve got nothing to worry about.
Saliva is absolutely essential for rinsing away food particles and bacteria. If you do not produce enough saliva, your breath may end up smelling bad because bacteria are collecting in your mouth. This also raises your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and fungal infections like thrush.
You should make sure you stay properly hydrated throughout the day, and avoid “mouth breathing” that can dry out your mouth. You may also have a clinical condition called dry mouth (xerostomia).
Xerostomia can happen because of advanced age, health conditions like diabetes, or even certain medications. If you feel like your mouth is constantly dry, even when you’re properly hydrated, consult with your doctor and dentist for help with xerostomia.
Even if you brush and floss every day, it’s possible to develop gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease.
This usually happens if you’re not cleaning your mouth thoroughly enough, or if there are other aspects of your lifestyle that may contribute to gum disease, such as excessive alcohol consumption or smoking. Smoking, in particular, raises your risk of gum disease and also makes your breath smell bad.
If your gums are inflamed or swollen, discolored, or bleed easily when you brush and floss, you may have gingivitis, and this may be the cause of your bad breath, or at least a contributing factor. We recommend seeing a dentist to get a diagnosis and ensure you get the proper care.
Infections like a sinus infection, chronic bronchitis, and other infections and conditions affecting your nose, throat, sinuses, and mouth can contribute to bad breath due to high levels of bacteria.
Tonsil stones are a rare condition that also may cause extremely bad breath. These are hard, white-yellow formations that grow on the tonsils, and tend to trap bacteria, leading to stinky breath.
If you think you’re taking care of your mouth properly but your breath still stinks, this could indicate a more serious underlying health issue. So don’t wait. Get help for halitosis from the team at Buckwalter Dental Care. Our office is a judgment-free zone, and Dr. Darrah is always here to help you get the dental treatment you need to keep your mouth healthy. Contact us online or give us a call at (843) 815232 to get started right away.
