Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is why many of us shy away from a lively conversation. Almost everyone has been there, trying to hide their bad breath by covering their mouths. Sometimes bad breath results from lousy oral hygiene, but there might be some underlying causes too. Therefore, let’s discuss some causes of bad breath, so instead of being embarrassed, you know how to treat bad breath.
Bad Oral Hygiene:
Your oral hygiene has a lot to say about how your mouth smells. If you skip your day’s brush, halitosis will surely follow. Bacteria reside between the bumps of your tongue and also proliferate in the sticky plaque on teeth. These bacteria are more than happy to feast on the food remains from your mouth. While they are engaged in digesting food tidbits, they release foul-smelling volatile sulfur compounds.
However, luckily bad breath emanating from bacterial digestion is easy to treat. All you need to do is brush regularly to hinder plaque growth. Plus, it’s best to toss in mouthwash in your daily oral routine for a fresh feel and mask any foul odor.
Diet:
You are what you eat, or more likely, your mouth smells like what you eat. Some foods have a strong odor that doesn’t leave your tail for hours after your meal. Take onion and garlic as an example; their digestion results in smelly compounds. These compounds enter your bloodstream en route to your lungs. While you exhale, your lungs dispel these compounds, giving your breath a garlicky smell. Similarly, coffee and alcohol are strong-smelling drinks whose smell lingers in your mouth long after you drink.
You may handpick coffee, onion, and garlic from your meal, but you might still suffer from halitosis. To counter bad breath, you need a balanced diet, and a sugar-rich diet will lead to the issue. On the contrary, halitosis might not leave your pursuit if you cut down on sugars entirely and rely on a high-protein diet. Therefore, to stave off bad breath, practice a balanced diet.
Diabetes:
Diabetes can lead to bad breath. When your body cannot digest glucose, bacteria won’t miss, contributing to bad breath. Moreover, if your body is highly resistant to insulin, your body starts to break down fat for energy. Digestion of fat often results in ketones which is a sulfur compound. Again, these compounds can lead to bad breath.
Diabetes is not the only underlying condition contributing to foul breath. Several other issues, along with certain medications, can also contribute, such as:
- Dry Mouth.
- Acid Reflux.
- Digestive Issues.
- Tonsillitis.
If dietary changes or immaculate oral hygiene cannot keep halitosis at bay, something more serious may be at play. Hence, visiting a dentist is best if constant halitosis troubles you. For accurate diagnosis and proper treatment, you can rely on Briar Forest Dental Group . You can call us at 713-784-4430 to learn how we can help you out.