Let’s be real. No one likes to have bad breath. Halitosis, as bad breath is formally known, is often associated with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and will sometimes lead to anxiety. But what actually causes bad breath?
Bad breath comes from not taking care of your teeth and failing to regularly clean out left-behind food particles. This is where bacteria will begin to grow, and over time, produce a foul odor.
Dental Hygiene
Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day are recommended by all dentists – so let’s start there. You may need to start flossing or up the frequencies of times you brush. Many people never brush their tongue, as well, which is where a lot of the bacteria in your mouth will live. This will help to maintain a healthy mouth and keep your teeth in good condition.
How Your Diet Affects Your Breath
There are multiple things you could be eating or drinking that are causing the bad breath. Several foods are known for leaving a bad smell in your mouth. Some of these include garlic, onions, dairy and horseradish. Coffee also will leave a very strong scent on your breath. It is suggested to brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking anything that fits in this category.
Most people who have bad breath don’t even know that they do. Our mouth is connected in the back of our throat to our nose, making it quite difficult to smell anything in our mouth. (It’s why people try to deflect their breath off a cupped hand to their nose.) People often become used to their own smells and don’t even notice a change. This makes it hard to know if your breath really does stink.
The Good News
Beyond brushing, flossing and using mouthwash, there are foods known to help get rid of bad breath – parsley, green tea and certain yogurts, for instance. Still, the easiest option to get rid of the stinky smell in your mouth would be to make sure you’re brushing often and flossing as well. Dentists are constantly trying to make sure their patients are using floss, as it is the best way to get little pieces of food out of your teeth.
Is it time for you to see a dentist? Give Gulf Coast Dental a call today to set up your appointment!
