Why Does My Breath Smell Bad? Causes and Solutions
We’ve all been there: someone offers you a piece of gum or a mint out of the blue, completely unprompted. You begin to wonder whether they were being polite, or trying to hint at something. You ask yourself, “Does my breath smell bad?” Halitosis, the medical term for bad breath, can cause anxiety and self-consciousness even when it isn’t recurring. Chronic halitosis can impact a person negatively in many ways. It can challenge someone’s social well-being due to embarrassment, could potentially hinder workplace interactions and can also be a warning sign for potential health problems. If you experience bad breath after brushing your teeth, you aren’t alone. Halitosis affects nearly one-third of the population, but the good news is there are solutions to get rid of bad breath.
What Causes Bad Breath?
The first step to treating bad breath is pinpointing the source of the problem. While both bad breath and halitosis refer to the existence of a bad smell coming from your mouth, they don’t always go together. Sometimes, bad breath can be easily addressed, whereas halitosis indicates a chronic and often more complex condition, requiring a deeper understanding and treatment of its causes. As you may have guessed, many of the causes of halitosis originate in the mouth. It can be as simple as the kinds of food you eat. Members of the Allium family like onions and garlic are types of food that cause bad breath. Whether you aren’t drinking enough water or you’re on certain medications, having a dry mouth can contribute to a bad taste in your mouth, a sign of halitosis. Saliva breaks down food particles in your mouth and flushes bacteria that contribute to bad smells so make sure you keep your salivary glands active by drinking water.
If you’re wondering, “Does gum disease cause bad breath?” the answer is yes. Slightly more serious issues such as gingivitis and periodontal (gum) disease can cause halitosis once the bacteria have had a chance to gain a foothold. Most of these mouth-based causes can be avoided with good oral hygiene and regular check-ups. Less obvious reasons for bad breath after brushing your teeth or having a bad taste in your mouth can be found in the throat, sinuses and even the kidneys. Mild conditions such as acid reflux and sinus infections may give you halitosis. More serious issues outside of the mouth such as tonsil stones, diabetes, liver or kidney disease and even head and neck cancers can also cause bad breath. While not as common a cause, once mundane issues have been ruled out, more serious underlying health problems should be discussed with your personal physician as well as your dentist.
How to Get Rid of Bad Breath
Now that we’ve addressed what causes bad breath, let’s look at ways to alleviate this issue. Typically solutions such as mints or gum are temporary fixes, and do not address the underlying issue, causing frustration and feelings of defeat. Once you’ve determined what is causing your halitosis, you can narrow down cures. If your bad breath is caused by bacteria or gum disease, getting your teeth professionally cleaned is a great place to start. “Maintaining your oral hygiene in between dental appointments is essential for continuing to keep bad breath at bay,” says our very own Dr. Ben Crowley. Obviously, if halitosis is caused by an underlying medical condition addressing that issue should get rid of bad breath, but your dentist may also be able to recommend specialized cleaners and rinses to help with the problem.
The first step to fixing a problem is figuring out that you have one. If you have ever thought, “Why do I have a bad taste in my mouth?” odds are other people can smell your breath. If you’re unsure whether you have bad breath or you want to find the underlying causes of bad breath after brushing your teeth, make sure to visit your dentist and they can help you get to the bottom of things. Contact our team today and make an appointment at Brightwork Family Dentistry and let our top dentists in Richmond, Virginia help to keep your smile bright and your mouth healthy!
