Bad breath affects all of us at one time or another, but you have to consider the underlying cause to know whether your bad breath is a simple one time case or if it is indicative of chronic halitosis. Certain foods such as garlic and onions can cause bad breath when consumed. This is due to the fact that after eating these noxious foods they are absorbed into the bloodstream and make their way into the lungs where their odor is eventually expelled. You might think that it’s possible to eliminate bad breath caused by food with gum, brushing, or mouthwash, but the fact of the matter is that the odors produced by these foods will not be eliminated until the food itself is illuminated from your system.

Bad breath can also be caused by underlying medical conditions such as posts nasal drip, diabetes, respiratory tract infection, and chronic bronchitis among others. The best way to determine whether your bad breath is being caused by an underlying medical condition is to consult with your dentist to determine whether the other aspects of your dental hygiene are in order thus eliminating them as a likely candidate for your bad breath.

Tobacco products can cause bad breath and the best way to remedy bad breath caused by smoking is to quit. You can consult with your doctor regarding your smoking habit and how to quit.

Another contributing factor to bad breath is bacteria and food matter that gets caught in the mouth and between teeth. After eating, food matter gets stuck between your teeth that will eventually form bacteria if not removed. Bacteria can also produce bad breath by causing the gum line to rot so you want to take care to remove excess food from your teeth after eating.

Bad breath can also be the result of dry mouth. Dry mouth can occur if you breathe excessively through the mouth. Excessive breathing through the mouth frequently occurs at night time as one sleeps and this can also be a very frequent cause of ‘morning breath’. Dry mouth can also be caused by medication or salivary gland problems. If you are suffering from dry mouth your dentist made recommend that you use artificial saliva, increasing fluid intake, or potentially even trying some of the toothpastes and mouthwashes marketed especially for dry mouth.

Some initial steps that you might take to prevent bad breath include maintaining a high level of oral health and cleanliness. The ADA recommends that you make sure that you brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. You want to not only brush your teeth but your tongue as well as bacteria can be concentrated in that area of the mouth. Mouthwash can also be used to help treat bad breath, but typically mouthwash tends to have a superficial effect that will not too much to treat your bad breath in the long run. Most importantly you should schedule routine dental visits for cleanings and routine checkups. Having a dental professional to assess your oral health is perhaps the best tool in your arsenal to prevent bad breath and all other problems associated with oral hygiene.

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Author Bio: A leading dental practice in North Carolina practicing Cosmetic Dentistry that is committed to offering high quality dental services and exceptional patient care. They are led by a great Cosmetic Dentist in Raleigh, North Carolina that offers a wide variety of dental treatments, including expertise in oral care.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: bad breath, oral care