You’ve noticed that people will keep a healthy distance when you approach them to start a conversation. Later, when you cup your hands over your mouth and catch a sniff, you think “No wonder!” Even though you feel you have good dental hygiene, you still suffer from bad breath. Why’s that? There are many factors that can cause a bad odor in your mouth, and your dentist in Richardson is going to let you in on how to be more approachable.
When leftover particles of food you’ve eaten begin to break down, your mouth becomes a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and bad breath. Certain foods like onion, garlic, and other spices can cause you to have smelly breath until they’re fully digested. So, if you eat excessive amounts of these every day, paring down on them may help reduce the smell. Your breath can also be affected if you’re on a high protein diet. When proteins are being digested, it produces ammonia that is released through your mouth, causing a foul odor.
Bad breath is mostly caused by poor oral hygiene. It’s important to clean your mouth regularly to disrupt the buildup of bacteria and plaque. Some people tend to skip over important steps in their dental hygiene routine like flossing, which gets into the hard-to-reach places that your toothbrush can’t. It removes food debris that’s trapped in between your teeth, which can be crucial to preventing the accumulation of odor-causing bacteria.
Over 85% of the population in the United States is affected by gum disease, which results from plaque and tartar that aren’t effectively removed from below your gumline. Eventually, your gums begin to form pockets between your teeth. These pockets fill with plaque and bacteria and infect and irritate your gums even more. These collected bacteria on your tongue and trapped in the pockets formed between your teeth produce harmful toxins that smell unpleasant, giving you bad breath.
People who smoke and use oral tobacco products are at a significantly higher risk of developing gum disease, causing damage to their oral tissue. No matter the form of consumption, tobacco products can lead to other serious health issues.
By maintaining a healthy oral hygiene routine of brushing twice a day and flossing, you can prevent heavy plaque and tartar buildup and minimize odor-causing bacteria. It’s important to remember to schedule your semi-annual checkups and cleanings so your dentist in Richardson can help remove all the remaining food debris and bacteria that you weren’t able to get to. Taking a couple of extra minutes out of each day to ensure that your dental health is up to par can not only save your breath but prevent serious oral health issues.
About the Author
Dr. David Nguyen has developed his skills in periodontal and oral surgery through post-graduate training and aims to provide the best possible treatment to his patients affected by oral health issues. Whether you’re coming in for a regular checkup and cleaning or to get porcelain veneers, you’ll feel confident in Dr. Nguyen’s hands. You’ll feel right at home in Dental Care Today. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit his website.
