If you weren’t aware, August 6th is National Fresh Breath Day—although, every day is a great day to celebrate having fresh and pleasant breath! That said, let’s take a closer look at some of the causes of bad breath along with some tips from your dentist for keeping your breath fresh and your mouth healthy and clean.
What Causes Bad Breath?
Bad breath, which is medically called halitosis, can result from many different things, but one of the most common causes is poor dental health and/or unhealthy lifestyle habits. Failing to properly clean your mouth will promote bacterial growth between your teeth, around your gums, and even on the surface of your tongue. This can cause bad breath, as can the resulting gingival (gum) inflammation. Smoking and tobacco products can also cause bad breath, among a slew of other oral health problems like stained teeth and gum irritation.
Everything that you eat also has the potential to cause your breath to stink. When you neglect to regularly brush and floss your teeth, you’re giving food debris the chance to linger inside of your mouth. Many of these tiny particles can cause your breath to stink, especially if you’re consuming notably odorous foods and beverages such as garlic, onions, cheeses, alcohol, soda, and more. Sometimes the odor can remain until the foods have completely passed through the body!
Conversely, not eating enough food can also make your breath stink—eating encourages your mouth to produce saliva, which goes a long way for your dental health. It helps to rinse unwanted leftovers from your mouth and keep things clean, and also fights cavity-causing bacteria. Dry mouth, no matter the cause, will certainly give your breath an unpleasant odor!
Tips for Keeping Your Breath Fresh & Your Mouth Clean
Bad breath may be annoying, inconvenient, and troublesome, but it’s also preventable and treatable! Here are some helpful tips for keeping your breath fresh and your mouth healthy and clean:
- Avoid poor oral habits – Smoking and using tobacco can wreak havoc on your oral health; bad breath will be the least of your concerns.
- Practice great oral hygiene – You should brush your teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Your dentist can also recommend a toothpaste that contains an antibacterial agent to kill the bacteria that causes plaque buildup (and bad breath). Definitely brush your teeth after eating foods that can cause bad breath! A sugar-free breath mint or sugarless gum can also help.
- Don’t skip flossing – Flossing is just as important as brushing, as it allows you to clean those hard-to-reach spaces between your teeth that your brush can’t reach. These spaces can easily trap bacteria and food debris that causes foul breath!
- Pay a visit to your dentist – You should be visiting your dentist twice a year for biannual checkups and cleanings. This gives your dentist the chance to thoroughly clean your teeth of the plaque buildup that often causes bad breath. They will also be able to treat issues such as gum disease that can also potentially affect your breath.
Bad breath can make life unpleasant for you and those around you; but fortunately, it’s something that’s easily preventable and also easily treatable!
About the Author
Dr. Spiro Saati has proudly served patients and families in the Peabody, MA community for several years. Dr. Saati received his dental doctorate from the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine and is a member of many professional organizations including the American Dental Association, the Massachusetts Dental Association, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. His practice is pleased to offer a wide range of available services including preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. To schedule a visit, feel free to reach out to the practice online or over the phone: (978) 531-2185.