Top 7 Causes of Bad Breath in Long Beach, CA

The dental term for bad breath is known as "halitosis." There are many causes of bad breath, from specific oral health issues, foods, and medications to other medical conditions. Discovering its source is necessary, especially since sources such as gum disease must be dealt with immediately. Through a process of elimination, patients can typically uncover what is causing their bad breath, and Dentist of Long Beach in Long Beach, CA will be happy to help eliminate any oral health conditions. In this article, we will discuss the top seven causes of bad breath. We firmly believe that patient education is essential, and we work to empower our patients with the latest oral health information available.

What Causes Bad Breath?

As previously mentioned, there are many causes of bad breath, or halitosis. Though it can be challenging to determine the source of bad breath, making specific oral health, dietary, lifestyle, or medical changes can often help patients combat it. Here, Dentist of Long Beach will discuss the underlying causes of persistent bad breath in detail, from oral bacteria to medications:

1. Oral Bacteria

The accumulation of bacteria in the mouth is a common cause of bad breath. This bacteria feasts on leftover food particles and sugar while releasing a foul-smelling odor. Oral bacteria can also gather on the tongue, making it essential to brush this area in addition to the teeth and gums. Combating oral bacteria with a thorough oral hygiene regimen and regular dental exams and cleanings is critical to keep it from multiplying or getting out of control and causing tooth decay, cavities, and gingivitis. Catching gingivitis is essential before it develops into periodontitis. 

2. Gum Disease

Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease, which, left untreated, may develop into the advanced stage of gum disease known as periodontitis. Periodontitis, also sometimes referred to as periodontal disease, is certainly a staple cause of halitosis. Ruling out gum disease as the source of bad breath is imperative due to its ability to lead to serious dental issues like bone and tissue loss, receding gumlines, loose teeth that fall out, or tooth extractions. Dentist of Long Beach in Long Beach, CA will be happy to determine if gum disease is the source of your breath issue.

3. Dry Mouth

Dry mouth occurs when saliva production is impacted. Saliva helps coat the mouth, neutralizing acids and dislodging oral bacteria. Without it, acids and oral bacteria settle in and create an odor. Since less saliva is produced in the nighttime hours, most individuals wake up with some degree of dry mouth. However, dry mouth can have other causes as well, such as specific medical conditions, medications, or lifestyle choices like the frequent consumption of coffee or alcohol. Chewing tobacco and smoking have also been known to produce dry mouth. 

4. Unclean Dental Wear

Not keeping dental wear clean can be a source of bad breath. For example, dentures that are not regularly cleaned can collect food particles and odor-causing bacteria. This also applies to mouthguards and other dental wear. If unclean dental wear is put back into the mouth, it simply transfers the bacteria to the oral cavity. On a similar note, this is why it is essential to replace toothbrushes every few months. As a rule, anything that goes in the mouth should be clean. 

5. Dietary Choices

Certain dietary choices can easily cause halitosis. For example, oral bacteria thrive on sugary foods and drinks. Specific spices, onions, garlic, and other foods are common culprits of bad breath. These intense aromas can easily persist at times and brushing and flossing after eating can help mitigate their effect on the breath. Patients battling bad breath may want to examine their dietary choices to help identify any patterns.

6. Lifestyle Habits

Various lifestyle habits, such as poor oral hygiene, can lead to halitosis. In addition, fasting can result in a deprivation of stomach enzymes. Thus, any undigested food is left in the stomach, where it starts releasing odors that affect the breath. Other lifestyle habits like skipping breakfast can cause bad breath as well. This is because eating stimulates the salivary glands, so skipping breakfast is a sure way to obtain bad breath. Examining lifestyle habits and looking for correlations can help narrow down the source of bad breath. 

7. Medical Conditions and Medications

There are many medical conditions that have the ability to cause halitosis. A few examples include respiratory infections, oral infections, sinus issues, liver and kidney problems, some cancers, metabolic disorders, blood disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and so forth. In addition, medications that produce dry mouth can result in bad breath, but that is not the only way they affect it. Certain chemicals released in the body have the ability to impact an individual’s breath as well. 

There are many sources of bad breath and discovering what is affecting your breath is often a process of elimination. However, persistent bad breath that does not dissipate with brushing and flossing should be taken seriously. For example, untreated oral bacteria can cause an infection, and gum disease can have devastating dental consequences. It is always best to consult Dentist of Long Beach to ensure that the cause of bad breath is not your oral health.

Are You Suffering from Bad Breath?

Bad breath, also referred to as halitosis, may have many sources. From oral bacteria, gum disease, dry mouth, unclean dental wear, dietary choices, lifestyle habits, and medical conditions to various medications, there is always a reason behind bad breath. Dentist of Long Beach can help patients rule out oral health issues as the cause of bad breath. Since cases of bad breath can range from benign to serious, it is always essential to discover its source.

Are you unsure why you have halitosis? Dentist of Long Beach can help rule out serious causes of bad breath, such as gum disease, so contact us today at (562) 373-0026 for a consultation!