It’s the morning and you roll over to let out a long yawn when your partner shrieks. Wonder what caused their sudden reaction, they inform you that you have bad morning breath. Attempting to sniff it out yourself, you realize they’re right. But why? What is causing this awful odor to come out of your mouth each day? A local dentist weighs in on the topic to explain the causes behind morning breath and why a good oral hygiene routine can remedy the problem.
The Causes Behind Morning Breath
The clinical term for bad breath is halitosis. As bad bacteria forms inside the mouth, it can create a foul odor over time, resulting in what is referred to as morning breath. When you sleep, the foods you ate the night before will adhere to your teeth, gums, and tongue (if you didn’t brush or clean them before bed). Throughout the night, these bacteria go to work to leave odorous chemicals in your mouth, which may cause your partner or other housemates to stay out of reach until you’ve brushed your teeth.
But food isn’t the only reason you can develop morning breath. It may also be:
- Dry mouth
- Tobacco use or smoking
- Certain medications that can cause your mouth to become dry
- Gastrointestinal disease (i.e., GERD)
- Poor oral hygiene
Ways to Curb the Foul Odor and Embrace Fresher Breath
The most effective way to treat morning breath is by stepping up your oral hygiene routine at home. Regular brushing twice each day for two minutes, flossing at least once a day, and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash can make a world of difference when it comes to the bacteria and food particles in your mouth. However, you might also want to try:
- Kicking the habit and find resources to help you quit smoking
- Chewing sugar-free gum to help stimulate the saliva production in your mouth and avoid halitosis
- Drinking plenty of water also keeps the salivary glands working at an optimal level
- Being mindful of what you eat, avoiding garlic, onions, and other strong and odorous foods and beverages
- Use a tongue scraper to clean this area of your mouth during your oral hygiene routine
Being proactive about your oral health can help prevent morning breath from ever happening but taking the right steps to minimize and effectively eliminate the odor will allow for a happier, more welcoming morning experience.
About the Practice
At Smile More Dentistry, our team of dentists believes in helping all patients achieve healthy, beautiful smiles. This is why we offer preventive dental services designed to help you maintain good oral health and prevent problems before they start. Issues like morning breath can keep you from feeling confident in yourself but with our help, we can help you employ the right tools and techniques to mitigate the problem and start enjoying healthier, fresher breath. To find out more about what we can do to minimize the potential for bad breath, visit our website or call (845) 675-1512.