What Dentists Want You to Know About Bad Breath
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Everyone is bound to have bad breath in the mornings. It’s when the stench lingers post-teeth brushing and into the day that it becomes a concern. Taking care of the issue boils down to finding your bad breath’s root cause, of which there are many, says Jossen Gastelum, D.M.D., a general and cosmetic dentist in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Meet the Experts: Jossen Gastelum, D.M.D., a general and cosmetic dentist in Scottsdale, Arizona and Ilona Casellini, D.M.D., a dentist at Swiss Quality Smile in Los Angeles.
“There are many things that can lead to bad breath, from the foods you eat to the bacteria present in your mouth and digestive system,” he explains. In most cases, however, the smell is released from an overload of bacteria and its sulfur-based byproducts, which, to be more direct, are basically “bacterial poop,” he says. Yikes. Below, experts share the causes of bad breath, plus how to get rid of it for good.
Bad breath causes
Medically, bad breath is known as halitosis, says Dr. Gastelum. It’s fine if it crops up after in the mornings or after eating a garlic- or onion-heavy dish, but otherwise, it means something is up, like:
Poor oral hygiene
More often than not, chronic bad breath is the result of poor oral hygiene, says Dr. Gastelum. Even if you brush your teeth twice a day, you may not be doing it well enough to kick the stink. “Not brushing and flossing regularly allows food particles to remain in the mouth, promoting bacterial growth. This bacteria produces those foul-smelling sulfur compounds,” adds Ilona Casellini, D.M.D., a dentist at Swiss Quality Smile in Los Angeles.
Tooth infections, cavities, or gum disease
Aforementioned poor oral hygiene can lead to dental health problems like cavities, tooth infections, and gum disease, all of which can worsen chronic bad breath by harboring excess bacteria, Dr. Casellini and Dr. Gastelum explain. Tonsillitis or tonsil stones can also worsen bad breath, Dr. Casellini adds.
Dry mouth
A dry mouth, be it from dehydration or a medical condition like hypothyroidism, makes bad breath more likely “because when there isn’t enough saliva, bacteria cannot be flushed away from the teeth,” says Dr. Casellini.
Dentures, retainers, or braces
If you’ve worn any of these mouth hardwares, you know how tricky it can be to feel squeaky clean—that’s because they trap food particles and bacteria, leading to bad breath, Dr. Casellini explains.
Smoking
“Smoking and chewing tobacco can also leave an unpleasant odor in the mouth and can contribute to gum disease, which can worsen bad breath,” Dr. Casellini says.
Other health conditions
If you have acid reflux, diabetes, liver disease, or kidney disease, you may be more susceptible to bad breath, Dr. Casellini says, because those conditions tend to create an environment in which bacteria thrives.
Bad breath treatment
Bad breath is almost always preventable and treatable, says Dr. Gastelum. In addition to twice-daily brushing and flossing and keeping mints on-hand, here’s how to stay on top of it:
Don’t skip the dentist
“Coming in for regularly scheduled cleanings and keeping good oral hygiene at home can be the easiest way to prevent bad breath,” says Dr. Gastelum. During these checkups, your dentist can also rule out gum disease or infection, or set up a treatment plan if those are present.
Try a new mouthwash
In addition to brushing and flossing, mouthwash is the safety net that really ensures all bacteria is swished away. For particularly stubborn particles, Dr. Casellini recommends rinsing with a bit of hydrogen peroxide, or asking your dentist about chlorohexidine prescription mouthwash, “which is a great antibacterial mouthwash,” she says. At the very least, Dr. Gastelum recommends avoiding alcohol-based rinses, he says, because they can dry your mouth out “and can cause bad breath to become worse throughout the day.”
Keep your dry mouth moisturized
If your bad breath stems from dry mouth specifically, there are products on the market designed to help re-moisten the environment throughout the day including gum, rinses, sprays, and gels.
When to see a doctor about bad breath
“If you are chronically experiencing bad breath then it is absolutely time to address it,” says Dr. Gastelum. “Severe gum disease is linked to several health conditions like Alzheimer’s, heart disease, diabetes, and even erectile dysfunction. Chronic bad breath is always a sign of underlying things that are important to address for whole body health.”
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