How Your Lifestyle Is Giving You Bad Breath
Halitosis. Even just pronouncing the breathy “H” at the beginning of the word can be a big turn-off if you have bad breath.
Halitosis, or bad breath, is embarrassing. Chances are, you pop a mint in your mouth or chew gum in hopes of freshening your breath. But that only temporarily masks the odor.
Stinky breath happens to everyone. Maybe you just chowed down on garlic bread or woke up from a full night’s sleep. Occasional bad breath is nothing to be ashamed of.
That being said, it’s important to note that certain lifestyle choices can contribute to chronic bad breath. At Galleria of Smiles in Tulsa, OK, our experienced staff can help determine what’s causing your bad breath and what you can do to freshen things up.
Check out the most common lifestyle factors that contribute to halitosis.
Lifestyle Factors Contributing To Chronic Bad Breath
Diet
When you eat, the food in your mouth starts to break down. Foods like onions or garlic, have odors that can linger for longer than you’d like. As you digest the foods, they enter your bloodstream and then travel to your lungs. That’s when they give your breath that unpleasant odor. Brushing, flossing, or mouthwash only temporarily mask the odor until those foods are digested entirely.
Poor Hygiene
Brushing and flossing your teeth daily is essential to proper oral hygiene. A lack of oral hygiene takes its toll on your mouth. If food particles remain in your mouth longer than they should, it can cause bacteria to grow. That bacteria is what leads to bad breath.
Tobacco
Smoking or using tobacco products can cause unpleasant breath. If you smoke or use oral tobacco, you’re also more likely to have gum disease. If you’re hoping for fresh breath, tobacco should be avoided.
Health Conditions
If you’re battling bad breath day after day, it could be a sign of gum disease. Gum disease is caused by plaque buildup on your teeth. That plaque buildup can cause bacteria to form which can lead to irritation. If left untreated, gum disease can cause serious damage to your gums and jawbone.
Xerostomia, commonly called dry mouth, can also cause bad breath. Saliva keeps your mouth moist, neutralizes acids caused by plaque, and helps remove dead cells that gather on your tongue, cheeks, and gums. If you don’t have enough saliva to remove those cells, they decompose, causing bad breath.
Additional illnesses that can cause bad breath include:
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Chronic sinus infections
- Postnasal drip
- Diabetes
- Chronic acid reflux
- Liver or kidney problems
How To Reduce Or Prevent Bad Breath
To help keep bad breath at bay, we suggest you start by practicing good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth and your tongue twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. You should also floss daily to remove anything stuck between your teeth. If you wear dentures, they should be taken out and cleaned every night.
You should also stop smoking or using chewing tobacco. At our Tulsa, OK dentist office we can give you tips to help you kick the habit.
To avoid dry mouth, drink a lot of water. You can also chew on sugar-free gum or suck on a mint to stimulate salivation.
To maintain good oral health and prevent bad breath, you should visit your dentist at least twice a year. At Galleria of Smiles, we can help you reduce and prevent bad breath.
Say Good-Bye To Bad Breath
You shouldn’t have to be embarrassed by bad breath any longer. At Galleria of Smiles in Tulsa, OK, we will take the time to figure out what lifestyle habits or illnesses are contributing to your halitosis. Once we determine the cause, we will come up with a treatment plan.
We want you to know that as embarrassing as bad breath can be for you, we’re more than happy to help. Call (918) 999-0142 to schedule an appointment or fill out our online form.
