What Causes Bad Breath?

At Fuller Dental, we provide comprehensive and compassionate dental care to patients in our Burlington, NC dentist office. Our doctors are here to help you resolve any and all dental concerns that you may have. A common dental concern that we all experience at some point in our lives is bad breath; however it’s important to know how to prevent bad breath and when to consult a doctor. We provide additional information on the causes of bad breath below:

Morning Breath

Morning breath occurs when odor-causing bacteria become more present as you sleep, leaving you to wake up with bad breath. When we are sleeping, our mouths are not creating as much saliva as when we are awake. This means that many of us experience dry mouth when we are asleep. Though this is a common dental concern, there are steps you can take to improve your morning breath. For example, patients should brush and floss their teeth before going to bed. Additionally, using a mouthwash or tongue scraper before bed will reduce the amount of residue left behind on your smile. Drinking lots of water before bed may also help prevent dry mouth which, in turn, prevents morning breath. To get rid of morning breath, patients should brush their teeth as soon as they wake up, before eating breakfast.

Preventing Bad Breath

If you suffer from bad breath, it may be because you are eating more pungent foods, like those that contain notes of garlic or onion. Altering your diet and adding more smile-friendly snacks like apples or carrots will help keep your breath fresher for longer. Brushing and flossing twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, is essential to maintaining good oral health as well as fresher breath. Throughout the day, if you notice your breath begins to smell, consider chewing sugar-free gum or rinsing your mouth out with water. Not only will this help get rid of odor-causing food residue that may be stuck between your teeth but it will also stimulate saliva production which will keep your breath fresh.

When To See A Dentist

If you experience frequent bad breath or notice a constant bad taste in your mouth, you should check in with your dentist. There may be an underlying dental concern like gum disease or tooth decay that is causing your breath to smell bad. At Fuller Dental, we provide a wide range of general dentistry services like gum disease treatment options, tooth fillings, and preventative care to help our patients improve and maintain their dental health. If you are struggling with bad breath or need to discuss your dental concerns with a professional, schedule an appointment to visit our Burlington, NC dentist office. We look forward to seeing you soon.