Ever feel insecure when engaged in conversation at close proximity? We all have had those moments. Here are the top 5 reasons for bad breath and what we can do to prevent it.
1. Bacteria
Bad breath is prevalent when a person is not taking care of their oral health. Bacteria lurks between your teeth and multiply inside your mouth, sending off bad odors. That’s why brushing and flossing after every meal is so important. People also forget about lightly brushing their tongues to further remove bacteria.
A clean tongue goes a long way to warding off bad breath, says Stephen Z. Wolner, a dentist in private practice in New York City. “Your tongue microscopically is like a shaggy carpet. There are millions of filaments on your tongue that trap tiny food particles and bacteria,” he says. Get in the habit of regularly cleaning your tongue using a toothbrush. Also, it is always important to see your dentist in Sugar land, TX for regular cleanings.
2. Pungent Foods
The foods we eat affect our breath more than we realize. Everyone knows that garlic and onions are the main offenders but other vegetables, cheeses and meats can also cause bad breath. The Mayo Clinic says “After these foods are digested and the pungent oils are absorbed into your bloodstream, they’re carried to your lungs and are given off in your breath until the food is eliminated from your body.” So when you plan to enjoy these foods, don’t plan to engage in intimate conversation.
3. Dry Mouth
Drinking plenty of water is beneficial to our overall heath, but it also has an impact in removing bad breath. Water keeps our mouth moist and helps to increase saliva production and decrease oral bacteria production.
4. Bad Habits
Smoking or chewing tobacco can leave a strong nasty smell in your mouth cavity. We all know someone who has “smoker’s breath”. The smell of tobacco is almost impossible to get rid of. The best remedy of course, is to stop smoking, chew gum, and drink tons of water.
5. Gum Disease
Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth may be warning signs of gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. The bacteria cause toxins to form in the mouth, which irritate the gums. In turn, the gums become infected and cause bad breath.
If you are suffering with bad breath and find that nothing is working, see your dentist in Sugar Land,TX for further evaluation.
