Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be an embarrassing and persistent problem for many. It may impact your personal relationships, self-esteem, and professional interactions. However, understanding the root cause of your bad breath is the first step toward managing and preventing it from impacting your everyday life.
At North View Dental, we understand the impact having bad breath can have on your confidence from day to day. It may prevent you from spending time with your loved ones and partaking in your favorite activities. If you are struggling with your bad breath and you aren’t sure what is causing it, keep reading to learn where it may be coming from and how our team recommends addressing it.
The Cause of Your Bad Breath
While it isn’t uncommon for you to experience bad breath as you reach the end of the day, you may be experiencing bad breath before this. If you are experiencing chronic bad breath, there are a few reasons why this may be happening, including:
1. Poor Oral Hygiene
In some cases, your bad breath may simply be caused by a lack of proper oral hygiene. You should be brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day to remove any bacteria and food particles. Failing to do so may lead to the development of cavities and tooth decay, which can impact the smell of your breath.
2. A Highly Acidic Diet
While you may enjoy consuming acidic foods and beverages, like citrus fruits, soda, and fish, it can have a negative impact on your breath. A highly acidic diet can result in acid reflux, which can lead to burping, heartburn, nausea, and an unpleasant taste lingering in your mouth.
3. Low Saliva Production
Your saliva plays a major role in controlling your bad breath. If you find that you are experiencing low saliva production, it may begin to alter the smell of your breath throughout the day. Without enough saliva, you may begin to develop more bacteria in your mouth, which will lead to an unpleasant taste and smell in your mouth.
4. Cavities or Oral Infections
As we mentioned above, if you develop cavities and other infections, they may be the cause of your bad breath. These oral ailments make it easier for bacteria to hide in your teeth by creating pockets in your teeth and gum that may be difficult for your toothbrush to reach.
5. A Lack of Flossing
As you eat throughout the day, you may get some food particles between your teeth. While some of this may be rinsed away by your saliva and plenty of water consumption, some of it may remain. If you aren’t flossing when you brush your teeth, these food particles may remain, leading to your bad breath.
6. Underlying Medical Conditions
While you might not realize it, problems with your sinuses or nasal cavity can have an impact on the smell of your breath. If you find that brushing and flossing won’t alleviate your bad breath, it may be due to an underlying medical condition. If you suspect this is the cause, it may be best to reach out to your doctor to schedule an appointment.
7. Old Dental Work
If you’ve ever gotten dental work, like dental crowns or bridges, done, it may be the cause of your bad breath. While this isn’t the case for all old dental work, any poorly done work may allow harmful bacteria to seep into your teeth and gums. This may lead to bad breath that you can’t tackle, even with the most comprehensive dental care.
8. Inconsistent with Professional Dental Care
Attending regular dental appointments is important for a variety of reasons, including for addressing your bad breath. If you are attending these appointments inconsistently or if you aren’t attending them at all, getting rid of your bad breath may be difficult.
How to Get Rid of Bad Breath
If you are dealing with bad breath, it may be something you are insecure about. However, there are several reliable ways to treat your bad breath. Some of the best ways to address the smell of your breath include:
- Investing in a high-quality electric toothbrush
- Minimizing your sugar intake
- Using an oral rinse at least twice a day
- Consuming more water
- Using a tongue scraper
Addressing Your Oral Health Concerns in Ogden, Utah
While you may do everything in your power to address your bad breath, some at-home treatments aren’t enough to address the problem. If you’ve done everything in your power to address the smell of your breath and it hasn’t changed, it may be time to speak to a trusted dental team. If you’re looking for a reliable dental team in the Ogden area, turn to our team at North View Dental.
With years of experience helping patients across the Wasatch Front address their bad breath and other oral health concerns, we’re confident that we can help you achieve better breath. If you would like to schedule an appointment with our team or if you have any questions about the services we provide, don’t hesitate to contact our team today.
