What Does Bad Breath Mean for Your Oral Health?

Bad breath can surface for several reasons – it can be due to something as simple as the meal you ate a few hours ago or as serious as an underlying oral health issue. Usually, the main cause behind bad breath is poor oral hygiene and this can easily be tackled by making sure you follow a daily dental care routine.

Visiting a dentist can help eliminate this problem once the root cause is determined. In most cases your dentist will advise you to avoid certain foods and drinks, brush regularly, and keep up with regular dental cleaning. Sometimes, dentists may want to further investigate if they suspect a serious medical issue is to blame. Either way, it is best to visit your dentist if you are trying to find a solution – these are some of the possibilities your dentist may find when trying to determine the reason for your bad breath.

Your teeth need some extra cleaning

If you don’t clean your teeth and floss regularly, chances are food particles will remain stuck in your mouth and over time cause a buildup of bacteria. This growth of bacteria will begin to give off an unpleasant smell that will worsen over time. Along with causing bad breath, poor cleaning practices can also lead to gum disease and cavities.

You need to drink more water

A dry mouth can also be a reason for bad breath. Water is essential for our body to function normally and one of the signs that you need to hydrate yourself better is foul smelling breath. Regular production of saliva helps keep your mouth clean by getting rid of food particles. If there is a lack of saliva, then your mouth remains dry, giving off a bad stench. Increasing your water intake and staying hydrated throughout the day can help keep your mouth moist, which helps cut down on the accumulation of food buildup in your mouth.

You may need to give up smoking and control the caffeine

Tobacco poses a lot of risks to your health and is a major cause of bad breath as well. It also causes your teeth to stain and irritates your gums. Smokers are more likely to suffer from gum diseases, which are also a cause of foul mouth odor. Similarly, caffeinated drinks such as coffee not only discolor your teeth but also can lead to dehydration, which is also an indication of why you may be suffering from consistent bad breath issues.

Instead of finding temporary fixes with mints and mouthwashes, it is more advisable to talk to your dentist about your bad breath and find out what the root cause is.

If crooked and misaligned teeth are the reason behind food particles getting stuck and causing your bad breath, you may benefit from cosmetic teeth procedures that could help eliminate this problem. For cosmetic dentistry in Daytona Beach, give us a call at The Pampered Tooth and schedule a consultation with a member of our team who could suggest what is the best way to eliminate this problem and ensure you don’t have to continue feeling conscious about bad odor coming from your mouth.