What Causes Bad Breath?



Bad breath, often referred to as halitosis, is very common among all children, adults, and seniors.  In most cases, it is treatable by yourself without a dentist’s assistance.

On average, studies show that about fifty percent of adults have had breath at least once in their lives.  Causes of bad breath range from being completely harmless and natural to that of needing to seek a dental professional’s help.

8 Common causes of bad breath commonly include:

  • Eating or drinking food and drinks that have a strong smell such as onions, garlic, and fish.

  • Dental problems such as gum disease, infections, and holes in teeth.

  • Medical conditions like dry mouth, tonsillitis, and acid reflux.

  • Crash dieting

  • Plaque buildup

  • Smoking

  • Dry Mouth

  • Drinking

Solutions for Bad Breath

Maintain a Healthy Oral Hygiene Routine

Maintain a healthy smile by scheduling regular dental visits.  Brush your teeth twice a day preferably using a toothpaste containing fluoride, brush your tongue, and floss once a day.  

Regularly Clean Your Tongue

Utilize a tongue scraper to remove excess bacteria that a toothbrush sometimes cannot get to.  Tongue brushing and scraping has been proven to reduce bad breath by 70%.  This is because it removes the microbial deposits on the tongue, especially the back of the tongue.  Located on the back of the tongue are bacterial films that harbor organisms and debris that contribute to bad breath.

Use Mouthwashes

Over-the-counter mouthwashes containing fluoride can help kill bacteria or neutralize and temporarily mask bad smelly compounds.  A fluoride mouthwash, used alongside brushing and flossing, can help prevent tooth decay and plaque build up.

Prevent Dry Mouth

Saliva is a natural solution that the body creates to combat and prevent bad breath and the buildup of bacteria.  If dry mouth is a persistent issue, a common advised solution is to chew sugar free gum or eat sugar free candy to promote salivation.  

Contact Your Family Doctor

With all these solutions provided, if you are able to rule out all the causes mentioned here and you brush and floss your teeth everyday, bad breath may be the result of another health problem such as a sinus condition, diabetes, liver or kidney disease.  If this is the case, you should schedule an appointment with your regular health provider

If you’re still concerned about bad breath, consider scheduling an appointment with us. We are more than to help you identify the cause and develop a treatment plan to help eliminate it.  Call us at (218) 463-1070 or schedule an appointment here.

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