Everyone experiences bad breath sometimes, such as after consuming odorous foods like onion or garlic. However, those with chronic bad breath, or halitosis, may have a lifestyle habit or underlying health issue that needs addressed by a dentist causing the problem. Here are common reasons for halitosis to help your fresh-breath efforts. 

What Causes Bad Breath? 

1. Tobacco Use

If you smoke cigarettes, use chewing tobacco or snuff, or smoke cigars regularly, your breath will “smell like an ashtray.” Tobacco products also dry out the mouth, which makes it challenging to produce saliva and allows odorous bacteria to thrive. Since smoking or using other tobacco products additionally irritate the gums and stain the teeth, it is a good idea to quit for overall dental health reasons. 

2. Dry Mouth

Also known as xerostomia, dry mouth occurs when the mouth does not produce sufficient saliva, causing bacteria to thrive. There are numerous reasons for dry mouth, such as medication side effects, chronically breathing through the nose, not drinking enough water, and salivary gland problems. Depending on the reason for dry mouth, drinking more water can be enough to solve the problem. If the issue relates to a salivary gland health issue, antibiotics or surgery might be necessary. 

3. Medical Condition

Certain medical problems contribute to bad breath from infected mucus that connects with exhaling air, such as respiratory issues like postnasal drip, tonsil infections, and sinusitis. However, bad breath typically goes away when the infection clears. Other health issues that cause bad breath include gum disease where bacteria gets trapped in receding gum pockets, creating foul odors and requiring deep teeth cleanings by a dentist to prevent further recession and bad breath. More serious health problems, such as cancer, kidney issues, diabetes, and liver issues, are also linked to poor-smelling breath.

4. Lacking Dental Care

Poor oral hygiene is one of the most common reasons for bad breath. Without twice-daily teeth cleanings and once-daily flossing, bacteria increases in the mouth and eventually causes gingivitis, the reversible precursor to gum disease. Not drinking enough water to promote saliva production and flush food particles from the mouth also contributes to excessive bacteria and bad breath, as does consuming too many sugary food particles. 

Plaque, or the sticky biofilm in the mouth, feeds on sugary food particles and produces decay-causing acids. Maintaining a healthy oral care regimen, which includes seeing a dentist biannually for deep teeth cleanings, helps your breath stay fresh. 

If it is time for your next teeth cleaning, make an appointment with North Chautauqua Dental in Dunkirk, NY. The dentists at this premier practice serving the suburbs provide a wide range of oral health services, including family and cosmetic dentistry services. Call (716) 366-6822 today to schedule your appointment or visit the dentists online for more information.