Reasons for Stinky Breath

 At the microbial level, bad breath happens when the naturally occurring bacteria in our mouths break down the food particles that fester between teeth, gums, and tongue. This process releases a bunch of stinky compounds causing bad breath aka halitosis.
It’s often caused by a poor brushing and flossing routine. There are other reasons as well and here are some.
Morning breath happens when the bacteria in your mouth take advantage of the fact that your production of saliva slows way down during sleep. Saliva helps “clean” your mouth and without enough your breath might have a bad odor until you brush your teeth the next morning. Skipping meals also decreases saliva flow.
Cavities due to poor oral hygiene and diet will increase halitosis. Remnants of your last meal can linger in the holes created from cavities which can then lead to more bad breath.
Mouth breathing can make your saliva evaporate, which can dry out your mouth and reduce your mouth’s ability to rinse away food particles. This can cause inflammation of the gums, cavities and bad breath.
Smoking not only increases the amount of odor producing compounds in a person’s mouth and lungs, but the habit can also dry out your mouth, leading to lower saliva production which in turn increases your chances of oral cancer and halitosis.
Certain medications like some antihistamines, diuretics, antipsychotics, and muscle relaxants have side effects that include dry mouth.  That can reduce the amount of saliva your mouth produces and increase bacteria.
Post nasal drip from mucous starts building up in the back of your throat because of a terrible allergy or cold. Those foreign particles eventually travel into your mouth, settle on the surface of your tongue, and in turn trigger bad breath.
Orthodontic appliances, dentures and fixed bridges can be difficult to maintain. They become magnets for food particles, which fester and stink up your breath.
GI disorder like GERD, in which the contents of a person’s stomach leak back up into the esophagus can create a mouth odor. Other conditions like diabetes and sjrogens syndrome can also create an odor.
Bad breath can certainly be awkward and annoying but understanding the root causes can empower you to do better and have better habits in caring for your dental health which starts with thorough home care and regular routine visits to your Dentist.
To learn more, call Dr. Mayvic Conte at 661-505-2926. New patients always welcome. May Conte DDS, Dental Care in Valencia, 25385 Wayne Mills Place.