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What Causes Bad Breath?

At Greenway Dental Care, Dr. Keech and his team of experienced dental professionals are here for you when you need them the most. Dentist in Fayetteville ARWe are prepared to offer treatment options for any dental concerns you may have. One of the most common dental concerns that patients experience is bad breath.

While bad breath is common, it’s important to know how to prevent it as well as when you should see a dentist. Learn more about the causes of bad breath below:

Morning Breath

It is common to wake up with bad breath in the mornings. Morning breath occurs because we are not stimulating saliva production while we sleep. Throughout the day, saliva is produced to aid in chewing and speaking properly. While we sleep, our mouths become dry due to the lack of saliva present in our mouths. Dry mouth may occur if you are snoring or breathing through your mouth. All of this leads to od0r-causing bacteria becoming more present in your mouth as you sleep, causing you to wake up with bad breath. To prevent morning breath, patients should use a mouthwash or tongue scraper before bed to reduce the number of bacteria present on their smiles. Additionally, drinking water before bed will help prevent dry mouth.

Preventing Bad Breath

Beyond morning breath, other potential causes of bad breath include eating pungent foods or skipping your at-home oral hygiene routine. It’s important to brush and floss twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, to avoid experiencing bad breath. Foods with strong notes of garlic or onion are more likely to cause bad breath, while foods like apples or carrots are actually known to freshen your breath as you eat them. When brushing and flossing are not an option for you during the day, consider chewing sugar-free gum or rinsing your mouth out with water. This will reduce the amount of odor-causing food residue sticking to your dental structures after midday meals.

When To See A Dentist

You should see your dentist if you experience frequent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth that never goes away. Bad breath could be a symptom of underlying dental concerns such as gum disease and tooth decay. Our Fayetteville, AR, dentist office provides general dentistry services including gum disease treatment options, dental fillings, and preventative care to help patients maintain their best overall dental health. If you are looking for a Fayetteville, AR dentist, come see Dr. Keech. Schedule an appointment online and we look forward to seeing you soon.