Although its origins are unknown, August 6 is designated National Fresh Breath Day and while it might seem silly to dedicate a day in defense of fresh breath, the oral health implications are worth taking seriously. Bad breath is embarrassing, but can also point to greater health concerns or be symptomatic of certain conditions.
In this post, we’ll look at what your bad breath may be telling you and offer some insights into how you can treat it.
The Basics of Bad Breath
Clinically diagnosed as halitosis, there are several factors which can cause bad breath. First of all, the food we eat might result in bad breath. Garlic is a common culprit, with vegetables like onions topping the list of usual suspects.
Certainly, smoking or the use of tobacco products can cause bad breath, particularly when you consider that tobacco use can result in gum disease. Speaking of gum disease, other infections, tooth decay, or mouth sores might also be attributed to bad breath.
Some people struggle with dry mouth, specifically xerostomia, which can be caused by certain medications, particularly antihistamines, decongestants, and even antidepressants. Other conditions, including postnasal drip, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and even cancer can play a role in how your breath smells.
The good news is you do have control over most of these factors. The biggest one is keeping your mouth and teeth clean, which means brushing and flossing every day, twice a day. This is the best way to keep odor-causing plaque at bay.
Beat Bad Breath with Preventative Dental Care
In addition to committing to good oral health habits, scheduling routine preventative dental care is so important to your overall health and wellness.
Reach out to our team today to book your next cleaning and optimize your oral health!