It’s the bane of any first date or encounter with a new acquaintance: halitosis (or as it’s known colloquially bad breath.) But what causes this unflattering ailment? Are some people more predisposed to have funky breath or is it something you can keep under control?
It’s no surprise that bad breath is directly linked to poor oral health but there are a few things you can do to avoid stinking like egg salad before your next job interview.
1. The first line of defense against halitosis is having a proper home care routine in between visits to the dentist at least twice a year. This means brushing your teeth when you wake up and before you go to sleep for at least two minutes. Additionally, you must floss EVERY DAY to avoid the buildup of plaque and bacteria in the mouth.
2. Medications that cause dry mouth can breed bacteria in the mouth which causes bad breath. Saliva is used to wash away bad breath. Drugs that cause dry mouth include anti-depressants, diuretics, and aspirin.
3. Skipping breakfast can also cause halitosis because when you eat early in the day your body starts producing saliva early. Just be sure to avoid onions in the morning!
4. If you sleep with your mouth open you are at a higher risk of having foul breath. This is because mouth breathing dries out the mouth and encourages the production of bacteria. If you suffer from asthma, sleep apnea or snoring you may be at a higher risk of halitosis.
5. Alcohol and cigarettes can also cause bad breath. Obviously, cigarettes can make your breath smell like an ashtray but alcohol also works to dry out the mouth and promote the proliferation of bacteria in the mouth.
