Bad breath: it's something we've all experienced at one point or another. For some, it's nothing more than an occasional annoyance, but for others it can develop into a serious, long-term problem. But what's the cause behind this accursed phenomenon? As your Lincoln NE dentistry, our mission is to help you achieve comprehensive dental health. So for this blog, we wanted to dive into the causes of bad breath.
The Most Common Causes of Bad Breath
Just like most dental problem, bad breath can have a number of causes, and it frequently depends on the type of bad breath you're experiencing. Perhaps the most common culprit for bad breath is pungent foods that we eat: strong-smelling foods like onions or garlic can leave oils in the mouth and throat that cause breath to smell foul.
When this happens, though, it's normally temporary. But there's another form of chronic bad breath, called halitosis, with a different kind of cause. For chronic, long-term bad breath, the cause is usually bacteria. Naturally-occurring bacteria that live in the mouth and on the tongue feed on and break down food particles in the mouth, and as a part of this process, they secrete gasses – and it's these gasses that cause halitosis. If bad breath is a recurring, long-term problem for you, it's likely the fault of bacteria. And if it becomes severe, it may be a sign of an underlying dental problem like dental decay.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Sowers at West Gate Dental
While breath mints can provide quick relief to bad breath, the best way to fight it is to maintain diligent, comprehensive oral hygiene. And if bad breath has become a problem you're having difficulty fixing on your own, we can help. Use our easy online form to request a consultation at our office and we'll help you understand the causes of your bad breath and build a treatment plan to fix it. We can't wait to hear from you, and we look forward to helping you achieve better breath and a healthier smile along the way!