What is that Smell? Is Your Bad Breath Telling You Something?
Do you find yourself always reaching for mints or gum to mask your breath? Or are you self-conscious when speaking closely with people over fear of the smell of your breath? We all experience bad breath from time to time. Coffee breath is very real, and leaving a feast with garlic and onions involved always has us reaching for a mint or some mouthwash. However, those problems are soon remedied with a thorough brushing and the use of dental floss. If you find that you are noticing frequent bad breath, it is time to visit our office. Your breath is sending a warning.
What Causes Bad Breath?
Most adults assume that only food has the potential to caused bad breath, but in truth, there are numerous reasons to have bad breath. Bad breath can be cause by:
Tooth Decay
If you have not visited our office in some time and experience frequent bad breath, there is a possibility you have dental decay. Similar to food that is left out that begins to smell bad, the same can be true of decay that is growing in the mouth.
Improper Dental Hygiene
When patients properly brush and floss their teeth, lingering bacteria is removed from the mouth. If dental hygiene routines are less than ideal, bacteria can become trapped between the teeth and along the gumline, creating an unpleasant odor. Be sure to brush thoroughly two minutes twice a day and floss daily.
Dry Mouth
Lack of saliva can lead to issues with dry mouth. This can be caused from reasons such as mouth breathing, medications, aging, and illness. Be sure to drink more water.
Gum Disease
Bad breath is one of the few warning signs of gum disease. When bacteria and plaque build up along the gumline and between teeth, it can lead to serious inflammation problems.
If you notice that you have frequent bad breath, we suggest calling our office located in Bowie, MD to schedule an appointment. If you have a problem with your oral health, we want to determine the issue and create a treatment plan as soon as possible. We look forward to helping restore your oral health.
