Bad breath, or halitosis, can cause embarrassment or anxiety, especially if you’re often around people. Most causes of bad breath are related to poor oral hygiene habits. 

Odor-causing bacteria form and spread in the mouth, making your breath smell unpleasant. It’s natural for the breath to smell at times. But if it doesn’t go away, it may be time to speak to your dentist about it. 

Mouth rinses and chewing gums only offer temporary solutions. You’ll want to identify the cause of the problem and find a long-term solution for it. 

Here are potential reasons why you may always have bad breath. 

1. Poor oral hygiene

Food debris lingers in the mouth without regular brushing and flossing. These deposits can cause bad breath and irritate the gums. 

Failure to clean the tongue can also harbor odor-causing bacteria that get trapped in its crevices. Proper brushing and flossing prevent food particles from accumulating, which slows down plaque buildup. 

If you’re outside and won’t be able to brush, drink plain water or rinse your mouth with water to dislodge food pieces. Consider using an antibacterial mouthwash as a supplement to your daily dental care routine. 

Don't rush when cleaning your teeth. Spend at least 2 minutes brushing your teeth to cover all surfaces. Floss to get rid of debris stuck between teeth and along the gumline.

2. Dry mouth

Saliva moisturizes and helps clean the mouth. It gets rid of odor-causing bacteria and neutralizes acid levels. 

The condition called dry mouth can also be one reason why an unpleasant breath persists. The mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva, so it always feels dry, and the dead cells in the mouth stay, instead of getting washed away. 

A dry mouth can be due to salivary problems, breathing through the mouth, or medication intake. Drinking lots of water can stimulate salivary flow and keep your mouth moist.

3. Diet

Crash dieting can also contribute to bad-smelling breath. A crash diet involves cutting down your calorie intake instantly to shed pounds quickly. But low-carb diets can result in bad breath. 

Chemicals are released in the breath as the body burns fat. You may be losing weight in the process, but one side effect of that is unpleasant breath.

4. Smoking

Chemicals in cigarettes can also contribute to bad breath. They stick to the teeth and gum surfaces, affecting the smoker’s breath. The smoke that enters the lungs is again exhaled, and along with it is the unpleasant smell. 

Smoking is also one cause of dry mouth. When there isn’t enough saliva production in the mouth, it’s even harder to get rid of odor-causing bacteria. 

Smoking also increases the risk of developing gum disease, which is another bad breath trigger. Masking bad breath with mints or chewing gums is only a temporary solution. 

If smoking is the culprit for stinky breath, kicking the habit is the best way to address it.

Find out what’s causing your unpleasant-smelling breath

Is there anything in the list that you can relate to? 

Having persistent bad breath can also be a sign of an underlying health condition. Enough liquid intake and a solid oral hygiene routine can help address it, but your mouth has to be checked first for signs of dental problems.

Most bad breath issues are related to oral health, otherwise, your dentist can refer you to a specialist or another healthcare provider for further assessments.

Are you looking for a dentist in South Calgary, AB? 

Contact us at Chinook Village Dental to request an appointment with a dentist in South Calgary, Alberta. 

Your dental concerns are safe with us. If you’re worried about bad breath, don’t hesitate to speak up. Let’s see what’s causing it and get back your confidence. 

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