Bad breath is a common issue that almost everyone struggles with at some point. The freshness of your breath can impact your work, personal relationships, and self-confidence. Bad breath can also be a sign of a more serious issue with your teeth, gums, or general health that needs to be addressed by a dentist.

Here at The Winning Smile Dental Group, patients often ask me about bad breath and what they can do differently in terms of their daily dental hygiene to freshen their breath. Our approach to dentistry has always been to address the individual needs of our patients with evidence-based guidance, compassion, and professionalism. Keep reading to learn more about the causes of bad breath, what you can personally do to address the issue, and when it’s time to seek professional care and advice.

What causes bad breath?

Some of the most common causes of bad breath include:

• Food – Leftover food particles can cause a build-up of bacteria on the teeth and result in a foul odor. This is particularly common after eating especially odorous foods like onions or pepper.
• Poor or inconsistent dental hygiene – It goes without saying that proper dental care is a necessity when it comes to warding off bad breath. If you’re failing to brush and floss regularly, then bad breath is to be expected. 
• Dry mouth – Often referred to as xerostomia, persistent dry mouth is a common cause of bad breath because saliva is vital to the natural cleaning process of your mouth. Saliva helps to rinse away plaque and harmful bacteria and works to prevent serious health conditions like gum disease.
• Mouth breathing – One of the main causes of dry mouth (and the odor that results) is breathing through your mouth rather than your nose because the consistent airflow dries out saliva. Many of us breathe through our mouths when we sleep, which is a prominent reason why our breath is often less than fresh in the morning.
• Cigarettes or other tobacco products  – Smoking is a perpetrator of a number of  dental problems . Smoking contributes to bad breath due to the strong odor of the products themselves remaining on your teeth. Like mouth breathing, smoking also contributes to dry mouth and other potentially serious conditions like gum disease.

Can bad breath be a sign of health problems?

Yes. If you have chronic bad breath  that isn’t resolved with proper dental hygiene practices, it may be a sign of a more insidious dental issue. In these cases, contact your dentist to help assess the reasons for your persistent bad breath.

Below are some of the possible root causes of chronic bad breath:

• Cavities – Cavities are small holes that appear in damaged teeth as a result of decay, usually caused by a significant buildup of bacteria. This bacteria not only contributes to the decay of the tooth itself, but it can also emit sulfuric gases throughout your mouth, resulting in bad breath.
• Gum disease – Gum disease usually occurs when plaque builds up on our teeth and isn’t consistently removed, weakening our enamel and leading to a host of problems, including bad breath.
• Other health conditions  – Sometimes bad breath can be a symptom of another underlying condition such as diabetes, GERD, and some cancers. If you’re suffering from chronic bad breath that won’t go away, it’s important to seek out professional advice in case it’s a sign of a more serious health concern.

What should you do to get rid of bad breath?

I often hear patients express concerns about bad breath and they ask how to freshen their breath. Good dental hygiene and visiting us twice a year for professional exams and cleanings goes a long way in addressing the problem. There are also a variety of small lifestyle changes you can make that will help keep bad breath at bay for the long haul.

Here are 8 simple tips I tell patients that can help prevent and treat bad breath:

1. Brush and floss your teeth every day

Maintaining healthy teeth and healthy gums is the first step to curing bad breath. When you skip brushing or flossing, plaque begins to build up on your teeth. This plaque collects bacteria over time that cause bad breath. Small pieces of food that get trapped between your teeth also contribute to the issue. 

I always remind patients that properly caring for your teeth involves the following:

1. Brushing your teeth twice a day
2. Flossing at least once daily
3. Visiting our office twice a year for regular cleanings and exams

2. Scrape your tongue

One of the primary causes of bad breath is a coating of foul-smelling bacteria on the tongue. Gently brushing your tongue with your toothbrush (or a scraper designed specifically for tongue cleaning) every time you clean your teeth can help get rid of these bacteria, and freshen your breath considerably.

3. Use a mouthwash nightly

Rinsing with a good mouthwash every night can help eliminate bad breath and boost your dental hygiene by removing extra bacteria from your teeth, gums, and tongue. It’s important to choose the right product — one that doesn’t just have a nice minty taste, but also kills bad-breath-causing germs.

4. Stay away from foods that cause bad breath

Food residue that remains on your teeth, gums, and tongue after you eat can contribute to bad breath, especially if small pieces get stuck between your teeth. Foods that are especially odorous are particularly likely to lead to bad breath. 

Here are a few foods to enjoy in moderation if you want to prevent bad breath:

• Onions
• Garlic
• Canned tuna
• Horseradish
• Dairy

5. Avoid tobacco products

Tobacco products, and especially smoking, are known to cause cancer. In addition to its carcinogenic properties, smoking can damage and stain your gums and teeth and lead to bad breath. Contact the Mississippi Tobacco Quitline for free telephone counseling and information to help quit smoking.

6. Don’t rely on sugary breath mints or chewing gum

While breath mints and mint-flavored gum can help temporarily ameliorate bad breath, it’s important to avoid products that contain added sugar. The bacteria on your teeth and in your mouth thrive on sugar, using it to make acid, which damages your teeth and contributes to bad breath. If you’re looking for a quick fix before an important meeting or date, try sugarless gum instead.

7. Stay hydrated and keep your mouth moist

A dry mouth is a notorious precursor for bad breath. If you’re not producing adequate amounts of saliva, you should make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day and try to stay out of the sun. You can also try chewing sugarless gum to encourage saliva production. A chronic dry mouth problem almost always means a chronic bad breath problem, and it can also lead to tooth decay over time.

8. When in doubt, see your dentist

These lifestyle changes are excellent ways to prevent and treat bad breath on a daily basis and in the long run. However, they should be used in conjunction with proper dental care at home and at least two trips to see your dentist each year. If you notice you’re experiencing chronic bad breath, this could be a sign of a more serious issue, and you should make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible for a professional exam and consultation.

How can The Winning Smile Dental Group help cure your bad breath?

If you’re suffering from bad breath, or are struggling with any other dental concern, The Winning Smile Dental Group is here to help! We provide expert knowledge and advice on the product and lifestyle changes you can make to improve your breath.

We also have the tools to provide care and treatment options for underlying dental problems that may be contributing to your bad breath.

We’re here to help!

If you’re looking to improve your dental health and wellbeing, no matter what your concern may be, The Winning Smile Dental Group has the tools, skills, and attentive approach to dentistry you need to give you the best care possible.

To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, contact us today!