The 4 Top Causes Of Bad Breath & How To Prevent the issue

Bad breath often originates from your tongue. This is because your tongue has an uneven surface, it helps with your ability to taste food and even to move the food through your mouth and into your body. However, the uneven surface can also trap bacteria which will then start to decompose on your tongue, causing a funny taste in your mouth and a bad odor.

The good news is that brushing your tongue every day and visiting a reputable Erkineville dentist will help to prevent this from being an issue.

Of course, this is not the only reason you get bad breath:

1. Bad Oral Hygiene

The most obvious thing that will cause bad breath is poor oral hygiene. If you don’t brush and floss daily then food particles will remain trapped in your mouth. These particles then decay, causing the bad breath. At the same time, you will increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

2. Food You Eat

The food you eat can affect the aroma emitting from your mouth. For example, spicy foods and garlic have distinctive flavors that will linger in your mouth long after you have eaten them. If you eat these types of food regularly your breath will consistently smell. The good news is that although the smell is repulsive, it is easy to identify it.

3. Infections

When you get an infection in your mouth your body is fighting to beat it. However, while your teeth or gums are infected pus will be created which tastes funny and leaves an unpleasant aroma. This will be noticeable, the closer people are to you the more they will be able to detect it.

4. Medical Conditions

A variety of medical conditions can cause bad breath. If you have recently been diagnosed with an issue, such as tonsillitis or acid reflux, and notice you have bad breath, then this is likely to be the reason.

You’ll need to have the underlying condition treated to eliminate the issue.

Getting Rid Of Bad Breath

In all cases, the easiest way to eliminate bad breath is to cure the underlying issue. You’ll find the simplest way to do this starts with good oral hygiene.

That means brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day and flossing at least once. You can also use a non-alcoholic mouthwash.

It is important to note that you shouldn’t brush your teeth too hard. Use one finger and your thumb to hold the toothbrush when brushing. This stops you from brushing too hard and damaging your gums.

It’s also a good idea to limit your intake of sugary foods and stop smoking.

Naturally, if the bad breath doesn’t go away within a week of doing the above, you should visit your dentist to have the issue looked at. They will be able to diagnose what is causing the bad breath and guide you through the best remedy. You can then enter any situation with confidence.