Risk Factors Causing Bad Breath

Bad breath (also known as halitosis) is an unpleasant smell that originates from the mouth. This odor can be persistent or intermittent. If you have bad breath, our dentist in Tukwila will talk to you about how you can improve it. They will examine your teeth and gums to see if there is a dental or medical condition causing your bad breath. Our dentist will also review your medications and habits to see if any of them could be causing your bad breath.

There are many causes of bad breath, including:

Poor Oral Hygiene

Poor oral hygiene is often the cause of bad breath. Food particles and bacteria collect between your teeth when you do not brush and floss regularly. These particles then break down and emit a foul odor. A clean mouth also helps fight gum disease, which causes bad breath.

Gum Disease

There are several possible causes of bad breath, but periodontal disease is one of the most common. Gum disease causes gums to bleed, swell, and eventually pull away from the teeth. This creates a space where food particles and bacteria can build up, causing bad breath.

Food

The following foods can contribute to bad breath.

• Garlic
• Onions
• Coffee
• Alcohol
• Meat
• Fish
• Dairy
• Pickles
• Etc.

Tobacco Products

Smoking and chewing tobacco products can cause bad breath. Bacteria in the mouth feed on these products and increase the production of plaque and tartar. This leads to gum disease and further infection.

Smoking also dries out the mouth. This is another way that the bad breath is increased. A dry mouth is caused by a lack of saliva. Saliva helps wash away food particles and neutralizes acids in the mouth.

Cavities

While cavities aren’t necessarily a cause of bad breath, they can cause bad breath by causing an infection. This infection, in turn, causes bad breath due to the release of odorous gases from bacteria living in your mouth.

Sinus Infection

When a sinus infection causes bad breath, the smell comes from the sinuses and the back of the throat. The mucus from the sinuses collects in the back of the throat, causing an unpleasant odor.

Dry Mouth

Saliva helps rinse away food particles from your mouth. If you have a dry mouth, food particles and bacteria can build up in your mouth, causing bad breath. A dry mouth can be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems, or dehydration.

Enhanced Smiles, located in Tukwila, WA, offers the best dental care facilities at dentistry. Dial (206) 575-1000 and book an appointment with our dentist in Tukwila to know more about dental restorative dental services and other dental care facilities.