Mondays, mosquitos, migraines, and morning breath – these are things that nobody wants in their life. Some are harder to get rid of than others. Fortunately, dentists know the root causes of morning breath and ways to help give that unwanted guest its eviction notice. Keep reading as your dentist explains the why of morning breath in Crown Point and what you can do about it.

What Are Potential Reasons I Have Morning Breath?

There are several potential causes addressed here, but the two predominant perpetrators are dry mouth and bad oral hygiene.

• Dry mouth: During the day, saliva helps rid the mouth of bacteria, but your saliva production decreases when you are asleep. Breathing through your mouth increases dry mouth and certain medications can, too.
• Poor oral hygiene: Your mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria, so if you aren’t brushing or flossing effectively, food particles can get stuck on the tongue, between the teeth, or along gum tissue. Bacteria in your mouth break down these particles and cause bad breath.
• Gastrointestinal reflux: Aka acid reflux, this causes bad breath when stomach acid washes back up in your esophagus as you sleep.
• Tobacco: Particularly when smoked, tobacco is directly linked to morning breath. In addition to the unpleasant smoke smell, this unhealthy dental habit can dry out your mouth, leaving you at a higher risk of developing gum disease. 
• Certain foods: Even if you brush your teeth well, eating items like garlic or raw onions in the evening can be problematic. They enter your bloodstream once digested, the chemicals are transported to your lungs, and then you exhale those odors.
• Periodontal disease: This affects the gums, causing infections between the teeth that lead to strong, persistent bad breath.

How Can I Get Rid of Morning Breath?

Here are some ways to minimize the impact of morning breath in Crown Point:

• Avoid strong-smelling foods: Pass on garlic, onions, and coffee in the evening.
• Drink lots of water in the evening: This keeps you hydrated and prevents dry mouth.
• Take acid-reducing medication at bedtime: This is to combat gastrointestinal reflux in particular. Sleeping in an upright position may help, too.
• Chew sugar-free gum: If you can’t brush your teeth for some reason before bed, the gum at least ramps up saliva production to clear bacteria and freshens your breath simultaneously. Sugar-free breath mints are also helpful.
• Keep orthodontic gear clean: If you wear a retainer or a nightguard, be sure to clean it daily.
• Stop tobacco use: This will improve your general health overall, but it definitely helps fight bad breath.
• Step up oral hygiene before bed: Brush your teeth right before bed and don’t eat or drink anything afterward. Use a tongue scraper, as well as floss and antiseptic mouthwash.

Morning breath is always ready to pounce if you give it the opportunity but adopting the methods in this blog post gives you the power to be preventive. If these tips aren’t making a difference, visit your dentist in Crown Point for more advanced solutions.

About the Practice

At Berquist Family Dentistry, we offer comprehensive dental care to Northwest Indiana and beyond. We serve patients of all ages with personalized care, flexible scheduling, and same-day emergency treatment. If morning breath just won’t seem to go away, you can schedule a dental cleaning and exam with our dentists to discuss potential solutions. You can make an appointment on our website and select our office location that is most convenient.