What Causes My Bad Breath?
We all get bad breath. It’s unpleasant, but thankfully, usually something we can cure on our own. The best way to fight bad breath, of course, is to understand what is causing it. Here we talk about what some of those reasons are—and how to keep your breath fresh. Whether looking for a Dental Treatment in Mt Vernon, NY, knowing the reasons behind bad breath will help one to take apt steps toward achieving better oral health.
What is Bad Breath?
Bad breath is air that smells bad when you breathe out. Sometimes, it happens only for a short time, like first thing in the morning. But sometimes it can be a sign of something more serious.
Common Causes of Bad Breath
1. Poor Oral Hygiene
The most common cause of having unpleasant breath is dirty teeth and gums. If one fails to clean his teeth and gums regularly, particles of the food he eats will be trapped in the nooks of his oral cavity, decay, and give off the foul smell eventually. Plaque is also one of the causes of bad breath. It is a sticky biofilm composed of microorganisms and bacteria. The bad breath, in turn, will start once it films in the gums and teeth.
What You Can Do:
Brush your teeth at least twice a day and clean between them once a day to remove food particles and plaque. Do not forget to brush your tongue because bacteria accumulate there, too. Make visits to Dr. Amul Patel regularly for cleanings and checkups to keep your mouth healthy and your breath fresh.
2. Choice of Food and Drinks
Certain foods and drinks can cause bad breath. Foods such as garlic, onions, and spices have rather strong smells, which linger in your mouth. Coffee and alcohol, on the other hand, can combine in drying your mouth.
What You Can Do:
Avoid foods and drinks known to cause bad breath or at least ensure you clean your teeth immediately after taking them. Drinking much water helps to remove bits of food from the mouth and maintain moisture, thus reducing bad breath.
3. Dry Mouth
The condition in which your mouth does not produce enough saliva is called xerostomia, otherwise known as dry mouth. Saliva is important in the cleansing of your mouth, washing away food particles and bacteria. The problem of bacteria buildup with dry mouth is responsible for bad breath.
What You Can Do:
Keep your mouth moist by drinking plenty of water. Sugar-free chewing gum can also stimulate saliva flow. If you have chronic dry mouth, you should discuss your problem and possible treatments with Dr. Amul Patel.
4. Tobacco Products
Smoking and other tobacco use. Tobacco not only causes cancer, it can stain teeth and cause bad breath. Tobacco use can dry the mouth and leave an odor for a long time. Plus, tobacco use is a high-risk factor for gum disease.
The Solution:
This is a big step towards freshness in the breath and improved oral health. If you need to be assisted on methods of quitting, visit Dr. Amul Patel’s office for help and further information.
5. Medical Conditions
In some instances, however, bad breath can also become one of the symptoms of an underlying medical condition. Some of the underlying conditions that might cause bad breath include sinus or respiratory infections, acid reflux, diabetes, liver or kidney problems, among others. It may be that the bad breath is persistent, so consultation with a doctor or a dentist for tests on you and to get evaluated for any serious conditions is in order.
What You Can Do:
If you suspect anything medical to be the cause of your halitosis, you must consult with a physician. Improvement in breathing can be witnessed when the root causes of any other health issue are treated.
6. Mouth Infections
Infections such as gum disease, cavities, or mouth sores are typical causes of bad breath. These infections commonly result in an overgrowth of bacteria that trigger a bad smell.
What You Can Do:
Regular dental check-ups and cleanings can help catch and treat infections early. If you are finding any signs of infection such as swelling, pain, or bleeding, it is important to reach Dr. Amul Patel just immediately.
How to Keep Your Breath Fresh
Now that we’ve covered some of the common causes of bad breath, let’s talk about how to keep your breath fresh.
1. Brush and Floss Regularly
Maintain good oral hygiene in order to prevent bad breath. Brush and floss your teeth daily at least twice. Don’t forget to brush even your tongue, since this, too, might be the cause of the extraneous buildup of bacteria.
2. Stay Hydrated
Drinking a lot of water keeps your mouth moist and helps to keep it cleaned off food particles and bacteria. This can help to reduce bad breath.
3. Watch What You Eat
Avoid foods and drinks notorious for causing bad breath, or at least ensure that you brush your teeth after taking them. Observing eating a balanced diet and high vegetables and fruits can help you in maintaining fresh breath.
4. Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking and avoiding tobacco products can greatly improve your breath and overall oral health. If you need help quitting, Dr. Amul Patel can offer support and resources.
5. See a Dentist Regularly
Make appointments for check-ups and cleaning at regular intervals. Such visits are very essential for the well-being of your mouth, and your breath will also remain fresh. If you are particularly concerned with halitosis, then you can take specific advice from Dr. Amul Patel and sometimes other treatments.
Book an Appointment With a Dentist
If your adults have persistent bad breath despite good oral hygiene, see Dr. Amul Patel. The cause might be anything from gum disease to an underlying health condition, but the results for the people are similar. Find relief from your bad breath by Consulting to a Dentist near in Mt. Vernon, NY today.
Bad breath is typically embarrassing, but it’s often treatable. Common causes of bad breath are better understood with methods to improve your oral hygiene, which helps to keep the breath fresh. Regular checkup and cleaning with Dr. Amul Patel are important in maintaining good oral health; therefore, don’t delay if you are concerned with bad breath and contact a dental professional.