You brush your teeth every morning and night. You floss and use mouthwash. But, despite your effort, you still have smelly breath.
Why's that?
When you brush your teeth, you remove the bacteria responsible for producing bad breath. So, why does your breath still smell?
Let's look at some of the causes that may give your breath a bad odor even after brushing.
Cavities and Gum Disease
While brushing your teeth two times a day is an important part of your oral hygiene, it's not a guarantee that you won't get any cavities. No matter how thorough you are, there are some spaces that you simply can't reach with a regular toothbrush. That's why it's important that in addition to your consistent oral hygiene you also go to regular dentist visits. The dentist will check your teeth for the early signs of cavities or gum disease and also perform a professional cleaning that will remove any plaque or tartar.
You Have a Dry Mouth
Your saliva plays a crucial role in washing away the food particles and bacteria in your mouth. If you don't produce enough saliva, then more bacteria will accumulate on your teeth, cheeks, and tongue, and make your breath smell bad.
Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated and your mouth moist.
In some cases, dry mouth can be caused by certain medications or by health conditions, such as diabetes. If you have dry mouth even if you are well hydrated, then you should get in touch with your doctor to identify the cause of your condition.
You Have a Sinus or Throat Infection
While most of the causes of bad breath have to do with your mouth (poor oral hygiene, gum disease, cavities, or dry mouth,) there are cases when a different condition may be to blame.
A sinus or throat infection, for example, could make your breath smellier because of the accumulation of bacteria in those parts of your body.
You're Breathing Through Your Mouth
Mouth breathing can dry out your saliva which, as we've learned, is responsible for washing food particles and bacteria away and keeping your breath fresh.
If you tend to breathe through your mouth at night, check with your doctor to see if you don't suffer from any sleep disorder, like sleep apnea. You can also check your polyps to see if they are enlarged and obstructing the airways, making it more difficult for you to breathe through your nose.
Can't Determine The Cause of Your Bad Breath? We Can Help!
If you are dealing with bad breath and suspect that your oral health may be the cause, you can reach out to the team at Columbia River Dental for help.
Head to our contact page to send us a message and schedule your appointment.