Why Does My Breath Smell So Bad?

It’s not just that you didn’t brush this morning. There may be an underlying problem.

Imagine you have just woken up on a beautiful morning, after a good night’s sleep. The sun is rising and the birds are chirping – and you let out a yawn. The dreamy morning is shut down just as quickly as it started when you discover your yawn has let out a storm of bad breath. So you reach for your toothbrush, floss and mouth rinse. Ahh – refreshing. Until later in the morning you notice that your breath has become stinky, again.

Why is this happening? Did I not brush well enough? Did I floss sufficiently? What on earth did I eat?

Here at Penn Dental Family Practice, we can relate. We have helped patients discover the reason for their bad breath and have created solutions to what has been happening behind it.

There’s More To Breath Than What Meets The Nose

Let’s begin by taking a look at some conditions that contribute to bad breath.

• Bacteria. If you don’t brush and floss everyday, food begins to get stuck between your teeth. This allows for bacteria to grow between the teeth, on the tongue and under the gumline. If the food is never removed properly, it will rot where in its place and cause an atrocious odor. What can you do? Floss each and every day. Be sure you are visiting your hygienist regularly for your routine cleanings so any food that has not been removed can be taken care of.
  
• Tobacco. If you smoke or chew tobacco, you will develop bad breath, along with other diseases or conditions. If you would like help to stop smoking, reach out to your doctor or dentist.
  
• Dry Mouth. This can be caused by medications or conditions that cause a lack of saliva flow in your mouth. Saliva helps cleanse your mouth by removing particles that may cause a foul odor. If you are experiencing dry mouth, your dentist can recommend a special mouth rinse or sugarless candy to aid in improving saliva production.
  
• Food. We knew this was a factor – especially for those of us who love foods with a strong smell, such as garlic and onion. When you eat food that contains a strong odor, be aware that food actually enters your bloodstream and is transferred to the lungs where it is expelled. Food odor will continue in the form of bad breath until the food is completely out of the body.
  
• Medical Reasons. Bad breath can also be a sign of a serious medical condition. If your dentist cannot find a reason why your mouth can be causing bad breath, then you may want to visit your physician. Some conditions that cause bad breath include nasal drip, respiratory infections, bronchitis, diabetes, liver or kidney ailments and more.

If you’re concerned about your oral health, beyond your basic morning breath, call Penn Dental Family Practice at 215-898-PDFP.

Related Tags: Bad Breath | Breath Smells Bad