Causes of Bad Breath

One of the most dreaded issues when it comes to everyday contact is bad breath. It’s an embarrassing condition that can have a surprisingly significant impact upon your life if left untreated. At Roger’s Dentistry, we know how hard it can be to live with bad breath. That’s why we’ve decided to take the time to write about its causes! If you know what causes bad breath, you can adjust your habits accordingly to achieve better oral hygiene and banish bad breath for good!

Poor Dental Hygiene

How often do you brush your teeth? If your answer isn’t “at least two times a day”, we might have found the cause of your bad breath! The problem with failing to brush often enough or skipping flossing is that food debris only needs a little time to start to build up in your mouth. This food will then begin to breakdown, causing bad breath and plaque. If you’re still not convinced, eventually this plaque can lead to gum disease – and you really don’t want to deal with that! If you have bad breath, examining your oral hygiene habits should be the first thing you do.

Dry Mouth

Another big origin of bad breath is a condition commonly known as dry mouth. Just as brushing and flossing your teeth regularly helps to keep your mouth free from food debris and bacteria, your saliva helps keep your mouth clean, too. When you’re suffering from dry mouth, you’re not producing enough saliva to keep up with the mouth’s daily needs. This can lead to a build up of food and bacteria, leading to bad breath and even gum disease if left untreated. If you have unexplained dry mouth and can’t seem to shake it, contact your dentist for an examination right away.

Tonsil Stones

Tonsil stones are probably one of the more well-known causes of bad breath. Stemming from – you guessed it! – an accumulation of food particles and bacteria, tonsil stones are white orbs that form in your tonsils. They have a very distinctive odor and can form fairly easily in some people. They are generally visible if you use a flashlight or mirror and open your mouth wide. Removing the tonsil stones is a good way to help reduce bad breath.

As you can see, the root cause of bad breath is almost always food particles and bacteria stemming from poor oral hygiene. If you have bad breath and aren’t sure what to do, give your Spanish Fork Dentist, Roger’s Dentistry, a call today to see how we can help!