What Causes Bad Breath?

Dentist in Boise IDAt LIFESmiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we provide general dentistry services to help our patients achieve and maintain their best dental health. Our compassionate dental professionals are here to help you resolve any and all dental concerns including bad breath. Bad breath is a common dental concern that we treat in our Boise, ID dentist office. However, many patients are unaware of what causes bad breath and when they should see a dentist about it. Below is some additional information the causes of bad breath as well as prevention tips and available treatment options:

Morning Breath

Morning breath is caused by dry mouth. Dry mouth occurs because our saliva production slows as we are sleeping. This is because we are not doing any of our usual saliva stimulating activities such as chewing or speaking while we are sleeping. Additionally, snoring or mouth breathing also contribute to dry mouth. The issue with dry mouth is that is becomes the perfect breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria to flourish in your smile. To prevent dry mouth, try drinking a good amount of water before bed. Also, consider adding a mouthwash or tongue scraper to your oral hygiene routine to reduce the number of bacteria remaining on your smile before bed.

Preventing Bad Breath

Brushing and flossing at least twice a day is essential to maintaining your freshest breath. You should brush and floss your teeth once before breakfast and once before be. Throughout the day, chewing sugar-free gum or rinsing your mouth out with water will help reduce the amount of food residue coating your smile following midday meals. Remember to avoid especially pungent foods like those that contain garlic or onion. Consider incorporating smile-friendly snacks throughout the day such as apple slices or carrot sticks which actively freshen your breath as you eat them. By making improvements to your oral hygiene as well as your diet, you should enjoy the benefits of fresher breath.

When To See A Dentist

If you have made improvements to your oral hygiene routine and still notice that you experience frequent bad breath, you should consult with your dentist to determine available treatment options. Often, constant bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth is a symptom of underlying dental concerns like gum disease or tooth decay. Our Boise, ID dentist office provides general dentistry services such as gum disease treatment options, dental fillings, and preventative care to help patients with bad breath resolve this issue. If you are looking for a dentist office in Boise, ID, we hope you will consider visiting our office. Schedule an appointment online and we look forward to seeing you soon.