01 Jul Was It Something I Ate? What Causes Bad Breath?
Bad breath can have many causes. It could be anything from today’s lunch to poor oral hygiene or a medical condition. For some people, bad breath is embarrassing. The smell of their breath can be a cause of deep concern and even anxiety, which is why there are so many products dedicated to stopping bad breath.
But if you have bad breath that you just can’t seem to get rid of, it could be a problem. Halitosis is the medical term used to describe chronic bad breath. If you wake up with bad breath, or if brushing and flossing don’t seem to help, you should see a dentist. Treating the root cause can help you fight off halitosis and put an end to bad breath.
Common Causes of Bad Breath
Some of the most common causes of bad breath are lifestyle choices. For example, how you care for oral health, or what you consume. But sometimes bad breath happens for reasons that are not as easy to pinpoint. Things like infections, medications, illnesses, or other causes are the culprits.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Not sticking to a daily oral care routine allows bacteria to multiply and food debris to rot inside your mouth. In fact, poor oral hygiene is the most common reason for halitosis. A good oral care routine should include brushing twice a day, flossing and using a mouthwash once a day, and visiting your dentist twice a year. You may need to take some extra steps if you have braces, dental bridges, or dentures. Brushing your tongue can also help fight bad breath!
Food Choices
Some foods—like onions, garlic, and spices—can affect your breath for a little while after eating, even after a quick rinse or brush. For instance, garlic breath can linger for hours. The sulfur compounds in garlic enter your bloodstream as you digest and travel to your lungs, expelling a little odor when you exhale.
Nicotine Products
Smoked, chewed, or vaped, using nicotine or tobacco products will make your breath smell bad. Not only do these products leave a foul-smelling residue behind, they also increase your risk of poor oral health, gum disease, and tooth decay.
Dry Mouth
Your saliva helps wash away bacteria and food debris, which helps keep plaque at bay. When your mouth is dry, it’s easier for plaque to build up and cause bad breath. Dry mouth can be caused by a lack of hydration, medications, or even some medical conditions.
Medications
Some medications may cause dry mouth, while others affect your breath similarly to garlic. When the sulfur compounds break down and cycle through the body, they are expelled through your breath.
Medical Conditions
Many different medical conditions can cause bad breath, including:
- Oral wounds
- Healing from oral surgery
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Infections in the mouth, throat, sinuses, or respiratory system
- Tonsil stones
- Diabetes
- Acid reflux disease (GERD)
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
Premium Dental Care in Prescott, Arizona
When it comes to fighting bad breath, one of the best places to start is making sure your oral care routine is up to par. That means brushing twice a day, using mouthwash and flossing once a day, and visiting your dentist at least twice a year.
But if your oral routine is already perfected and your breath is still rather pungent, you should contact our office for an appointment. The highly trained dentists here at Hicks Dental Group can point you in the right direction. You may need dental treatments, different oral care products, or a visit to your medical doctor.
Our goal is to offer the best dental care in the Prescott area. Contact us today to schedule a cleaning and exam, and we’ll help you get your halitosis under control.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (6/30/25). Photo by Omar Shishani on Unsplash