Does My Breath Smell?
Ever feel like you’re talking to someone and all you can focus on is whether or not they can smell your breath? You are not alone. There can be many different reasons why you may feel your breath is more potent than normal. Bad breath or professionally known as halitosis is normal. The good news is that most causes of halitosis or bad breath come down to oral habits. Visit Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry in Omaha, NE and we can talk about it!
What’s the Reason?
The biggest underlying issue to your bad breath may be poor oral hygiene. Luckily for you, these can be easy changes in your everyday routines to help with the odor.
- Brush more. Brushing once in the morning and once before bed for at least 120 seconds is important. Also brushing your tongue as it can carry many odors just like the particles that can get stuck between your teeth.
- Timing. When brushing your teeth, timing is everything. Many people will brush their teeth as the first step in their morning routine, but it’s important to remove odor-causing bacteria after eating breakfast. This is why you want to brush your teeth after eating or drinking anything in the morning so you can leave your house with minty fresh breath.
How Does Eating Contribute to Bad Breath?
Everyone has enjoyed some pasta or pizza that had some garlic and onions and afterward thought your breath stinks and it’s that normal, afterward, you brush your teeth and floss and the smell goes away. This is a normal part of the congestion and digestion process; removing the leftover lodges and particles left in your mouth after eating will remove the smell that comes along with them. Some foods go further along, enter your bloodstream, carry to your lungs, and affect your breath. If a toothbrush is not readily available, we recommend avoiding these foods and beverages:
- Garlic
- Onions
- Coffee
- Alcohol
Continue to eat the foods you enjoy, but be aware of the foods that affect your breath if it is becoming more and more of a concern.
Is There A Bigger Issue?
Halitosis or bad breath can be caused by more than just food particles stuck between your teeth or on your tongue. Another reason for halitosis can be a result of gum disease and tooth decay. If you have some dental issues it can allow bacteria to find pockets or cavities to hide in and cause further damage such as gingivitis and periodontal disease. There are short-term methods that can assist with masking the smell, but they won’t disappear. It is important that you work with your dentist to solve any underlying issues.
If you are noticing your concern for your breath to become more apparent than normal, contact Health Smiles Family Dentistry and we can work on it together.
