Anyone can experience bad breath from time to time. But if you suffer from chronic, persistent bad breath, there may be an underlying cause that you should be aware of. And the best way to rid yourself of bad breath is to effectively treat that underlying cause. Here are some of the most common reasons why people experience persistent bad breath.
- Poor oral hygiene – If you don’t practice good oral hygiene practices every day, you could easily develop bad breath. Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. If you fail to do this, bad breath won’t be the only consequence – you’ll also greatly increase your risk of developing cavities and gum disease.
- Dietary choices – If you’re a fan of foods with ingredients like garlic and onions, you’re much more likely to experience bad breath as a result. But there are other diet choice that can have a similar effect. Eating too much sugar, or eating a low-carb diet can also give you bad breath.
- Reduced saliva production – Saliva is important for a variety of reasons, and one of those is that saliva washes away odor-causing bacteria from inside your mouth. So if you produce less saliva, you’re much more likely to have bad breath. To avoid this, you should limit your consumption of drinks that reduce saliva production, such as coffee and alcohol. Certain medications may also give you dry mouth.
- Use of tobacco products – When it comes to oral health and tobacco, we have some simple advice: if you use it, quit, and if you don’t already use it, don’t start. Whether you smoke it or chew it, tobacco not only stains your teeth and greatly increases your chances for developing oral cancer and gum disease, it also leaves you with chronic bad breath.
- Digestive problems – If you suffer from any sort of digestive upset on a regular basis – including constipation, acid reflux, or bowel disorders, for example – it’s common to experience bad breath.
- Sinus issues – If you have allergies, postnasal drip, or any other sinus-related problem, it increases your chances of having bad breath.
- Other health problems – Bad breath is also common for people who have other health issues, such as diabetes or kidney disease, for example.
If you suffer from persistent bad breath, talk to your dentist. He or she can not only help you to identify the cause, but also recommend appropriate ways to treat this condition.
