Bad breath is common, but it causes anxiety if you worry that it will affect how people view you. It may also be a sign of a health problem. Dealing with bad breath typically involves lifestyle adjustments, such as changing what you eat and drink. However, you will require dental care in severe cases. Whatever the cause, you can handle most situations successfully. Below are five common explanations for bad breath.

5 Major Reasons for Bad Breath

1. Insufficient Oral Hygiene

One of the most common causes of bad breath is inadequate oral hygiene. Failing to brush and floss regularly will mean small food particles stay in your mouth, and a film of bacteria will quickly form on your teeth. This substance, known as plaque, has an unpleasant odor. To maintain adequate oral hygiene, brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes. Dentists also recommend daily flossing.

2. Health Conditions

Some illnesses result in bad breath, including respiratory infections and inflammation of the throat or sinuses. Digestive problems such as acid reflux also affect breath because food travels back up the esophagus, giving off odors that come out through the mouth. Infections in the oral cavity have a similar effect, and you should seek dental care if you have tooth decay or oral wounds that risk infection.

3. Certain Foods

Foods such as onions and garlic are well known for causing temporary bad breath. The odor comes from pieces of food that remain in gaps between your teeth. Also, the bad smell travels out from the lungs when the meals digest and enter the bloodstream. Other foods that lead to bad breath include spices and fish, particularly canned tuna. Dairy products sometimes lead to bad breath because amino acids in the food feed the bacteria in your mouth.

4. Dry Mouth

Saliva helps clean your mouth and protect it from infection, and if you are not producing enough, then food remains stuck, and bacteria thrive. Dry mouth often happens during sleep, which is why bad breath is common in the morning. Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, hormonal imbalance, and problems with salivary glands reduce saliva production, and radiation treatment of the head or neck may also lead to dry mouth.

5. Medications 

Hundreds of medications list dry mouth as one of their side effects, so they can indirectly cause bad breath. Medicines also release chemicals into the bloodstream, which could give off an odor that your lungs emit. Bad breath and dry mouth are not reasons to discontinue medication, but you should talk to your doctor about the options available to deal with these side effects.

If you are worried about bad breath, Tohill Dentistry in Somerset, KY, will help find a solution. The family-owned practice offers a range of dental care services including crowns, cleaning, and restorative dentistry. To schedule an appointment, call (606) 679-4450 or visit the website for more information about their services.