How is your breath this morning? If it isn’t the greatest, there are several causes for your bad breath that we’d like to talk about today. While it may be a result of your oral care routine, there are other reasons that may surprise you.

  1. Poor Oral Hygiene

This one is the more obvious of the causes. Taking good care of your teeth means brushing twice a day for at least two minutes and flossing at least once. It gets rid of bacteria and food particles stuck in your teeth that can all cause bad breath. Make sure you also replace your toothbrush head every six months too.

  1. Any Form of Tobacco Use

Whether you smoke, chew tobacco, or use it in any sort of way that can lead to bad breath. It also increases your risk for gum disease which can also cause breath problems. You also increase your risk for oral cancer too. The best thing you can do for your oral and overall health is to quit any sort of tobacco usage.

  1. Certain Foods

The odor of some foods won’t go away even after you have brushed or flossed. For example, garlic and onions are only briefly masked after you clean your teeth. They have to finish processing through your body before the odor leaves. Other culprits are orange juice, meat, dairy, and soda for example. 

  1. Gum Disease

If bacteria accumulates in your mouth and gets into your gumline, this can lead to gum disease. As a result, the bacteria can cause you to have unpleasant breath as a result. In fact, bad breath is one of the symptoms of gum disease. If you notice receding gums, red or inflamed gums, loose teeth, or bleeding when you brush and floss, you’ll want to see us immediately for treatment. 

  1. Certain Medications

Some medications can also cause bad breath. Unfortunately, since it isn’t always possible to stop taking medications, it’s recommended you simply practice regular oral hygiene like brushing and flossing. Also, be sure to keep your checkups. We’ll do a thorough cleaning and examine your mouth for any oral health issues.

We also can provide treatment for bad breath too. If this problem persists, call Pierce & Knight Family Dentistry at 913-251-9683 for an appointment in Lenexa, KS. We’ll check for any oral health concerns and recommend a solution that best suits your issue.