Top 5 Reasons Why People Experience Bad Breath (& Why It Stinks!)
If you have bad breath, you may not know it.
Sometimes, the only way you figure it out is when someone tells you. How embarrassing.
Temporary bad breath that comes from eating garlic or onions isn’t a reason to worry. It’s when you persistently have bad breath – sometimes called halitosis – that you need to be concerned. The best thing to do is to see your dentist for a check-up.
If you have a dental issue causing bad breath, you don’t want to wait to have it addressed because it increases the risk for further tooth decay or infection.
Here are the top five reasons people experience bad breath:
1. Mucus
Allergy season and cold viruses can cause post-nasal drip, which covers the back of your tongue in mucus.
Make sure you brush your tongue as part of your oral hygiene routine. You can also use a tongue scraper.
2. Smoking
Bad breath is one of the many reasons you should quit smoking.
Oral cancer, lung disease, and heart disease are all linked to smoking and using tobacco products. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor or visit smokefree.gov.
Once you quit, reward yourself with a brighter, more confident smile. Ask us about teeth whitening.
3. Poor Oral Hygiene
Do you skip brushing and flossing? Sometimes, people can tell! If your co-workers take a step back every time you speak, you may want to remember to brush and floss your teeth every day. If you’re not sure how to floss, ask us! We can show you how easy – and painless – flossing can be.
4. Gum Disease
Did you know that many people have gum disease – periodontitis – and don’t know it?
The only way to know that you don’t have gum disease is to see your dentist. Periodontitis, the early stages of gum disease, can be treated by eliminating the infection.
If you have gum disease, you probably have bad breath in addition to swollen gums and bleeding. Gum disease can cause tooth loss if it’s not addressed.
At Forest Ridge Dental Group, we offer the LANAP laser treatment to help our patients who have gum disease.
While the laser procedure kills the bacteria causing the gum disease, it also helps the body regenerate lost bone. For many people, it’s an alternative to painful gum surgery and tissue grafting.
5. Diabetes
If your oral health isn’t the culprit, make sure your blood sugar levels are in a normal range.
Like gum disease, many people who have diabetes do not know it. Many diabetics have a sweet or fruity odor to their breath. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious health problems.
Are you worried about bad breath?
Don’t wait for someone to point it out. Maybe it’s time for a check-up. Schedule your next appointment at Forest Ridge Dental Group today.
