What’s the Deal with Bad Breath?

Morning Breath. Halitosis. Mouth odor. Whatever you call it by, it’s estimated that more than half of all Americans suffer from bad breath. . . but what are the reasons, and how does it so often go undetected and untreated? Today we’re breaking down the causes of foul breath and what you can do if you suspect you have it.

First, out of the millions of Americans living with bad breath, how is it so often going undetected and/or untreated? We often find that patients may not notice their own foul breath because over time, they have grown accustomed to their own odors. Other times, we come across patients who are nervous about what bad breath can mean about the state of their mouth. . . and to these patients we always say, we’re listeners, not lecturers. We’re not here to tell you what you already know, we’re here to meet you right where you’re at and help you in a comfortable, judgement-free zone. Now on to the causes, and the fun part – the cures of bad breath!

Causes of Bad Breath:

• Gum Disease 

• Digestive Issues 

• Inadequate Cleansing 

• Waiting Too Long Before Eating 

• Overgrowth of Bacteria 

• Smoking 

• Excessive Consumption of Coffee or Alcohol 

What You Can Do:

• Implement Good Oral Hygiene Habits 

• Brush Not Only Your Teeth But Also Your Tongue, Cheeks and Roof of Mouth 

• Remove Food Particles from Mouth 

• Use a Mouth Rinse 

• See a Dentist to Ensure you Don’t Have Gum Disease 

Because of how common some of the causes are, mild mouth odor is normal, but if you think you might have chronic bad breath. . . try asking a loved one or schedule an appointment with your friendly San Luis Obispo dentist at SLO Smiles, you can reach us at (805) 541-0550!