What comes to mind when you think of bad breath? Is it your coworker who drinks endless amounts of coffee at the desk right next you, only to head out for a cigarette every couple of hours? Do you picture wreaths of garlic and Dracula? Or maybe your mind goes to Benny Hill’s character The Halitosis Kid? Regardless of what this team makes you envision, bad breath is a common and embarrassing condition. In this post, the team at Berquist Family Dentistry, your premier dentist in Whiting explains what causes bad breath and how you can prevent it from happening.

What Causes Bad Breath?

As your trusted dentist in 46394, Dr. Daniel Berquist and Dr. Robert Berquist know that there are many reasons behind why bad breath occurs, including:

• Volatile Sulfuric Compounds – VSCs cause most cases of bad breath and are a malodorous byproduct created by bacteria that live in the mouth.
• Smoking – Cigarettes do a number on your oral health in many ways. Bad breath, gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer all stem from this unhealthy habit, so talk to us if you need help quitting and make your breath fresher instantly.
• Sugar – Since bad bacteria thrives on sugar, drinking sodas or fruit juices, or eating a multitude of sweet treats gives your bad breath the fuel it needs to stick around.
• Food Choices – While garlic, onions, fish, coffee, and red wine may all be tasty, these can definitely affect your breath, even if only for a short amount of time.
• Dry Mouth – Saliva is important – it remineralizes teeth and provides the right environment for the good bacteria in your mouth. When your mouth gets dry, the drought kills the good bacteria, and bad breath germs abound.
• Halitosis – Chronic bad breath, also known as halitosis, cam sometimes be the result of gum disease and poor oral hygiene, but is more often caused by an imbalance in your oral bacteria that can only be diagnosed by a dentist.
• Medical Conditions – Many systemic health problems cause bad breath, so if you notice bad breath with sudden onset and no real cause, see your doctor or reach out to us for a professional exam. Bad breath is a symptom of diabetes, pneumonia and other upper respiratory infections, acid reflux and even liver or kidney problems, all which require medical care. And, bear in mind that bad breath is often a side effect of certain medications.

How Can I Prevent Bad Breath?

There are a number of thigs patients can do to prevent bad breath, including:

• Chew gum with xylitol to increase saliva.
• Use mouthrinses that are specifically designed to create dry mouth.
• Talk with your doctor about the side effects of your medications.
• Make smart food choices.
• Brush twice a day for two minutes.
• Floss to remove bad breath causing bacteria.
• Gently brush your tongue to remove bacteria.
• Steer clear of mouthwashes that have alcohol in them, since these dry out your mouth.
• Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
• See your dentist for professional care.

Now that you know what causes bad breath and how you can stop it before it starts, schedule your appointment with Berquist Family Dentistry to keep your breath fresh with a professional cleaning!