Bad breath is something most people will deal with at some point. Sometimes it’s just from what you’ve eaten, but if it sticks around, it can start to affect your confidence and social life. What many don’t realise is that ongoing bad breath isn’t always about poor hygiene – it can be a sign of something more going on in your mouth or even your body. The good news is that your dentist can help figure out what’s causing it and how to fix it properly.
The Usual Suspects
The most common reason for bad breath is bacteria. Your mouth is full of it – and when it breaks down food, it releases gases that smell unpleasant. If you don’t brush and floss properly every day, food particles can get stuck between your teeth and along your gum line. That’s when bacteria gets busy and the smell gets worse.
A dry mouth can also make bad breath worse. Saliva helps wash away food and neutralise acid, so if your mouth isn’t making enough of it – from dehydration, medication, or even sleeping with your mouth open – the smell builds up. Morning breath, for example, is often just a dry mouth from sleeping.
What You Eat and Drink Matters
Some foods are known to cause bad breath, especially garlic, onion, strong spices, coffee and alcohol. These can leave a smell in your mouth even after brushing, and in some cases, the smell can come back through your lungs after digestion.
Low-carb diets and fasting can also affect your breath. When your body starts burning fat instead of carbs, it makes chemicals called ketones, which can cause a strong, fruity or metallic smell on your breath. While it’s not always a sign of poor hygiene, it’s still something people notice.
When It’s Not Just About the Mouth
Sometimes, bad breath isn’t caused by your mouth at all. It can be linked to issues in your sinuses, throat or even stomach. Infections in your tonsils or sinuses can produce mucus that smells. Acid reflux and other digestive problems can also send unpleasant odours back up the throat. In rare cases, bad breath could be linked to conditions like diabetes or liver problems.
But most of the time, it does start in the mouth – and that’s where your dentist comes in.
How a Dentist Can Help
If brushing and flossing every day isn’t solving the problem, it’s time to book a proper check-up. Your dentist will be able to tell if you’ve got gum disease, tooth decay or something else going on that’s causing bad breath. Gum disease is a major cause, especially in adults, and it often doesn’t hurt – so people don’t realise they have it.
Your dentist can also check if you have any old fillings, crowns or dental work that might be trapping food or bacteria. Even your tongue can hold bacteria that cause bad smells – and sometimes a good clean is all it takes to make a big difference.
If you live nearby, speaking to an expert dentist in Newstead can help you get to the bottom of it quickly. They’ll not only clean your teeth properly, but also give you advice on how to stop bad breath coming back.
Long-Term Care
Keeping bad breath away means sticking to a good daily routine. That means brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, flossing once a day, and drinking plenty of water. Cleaning your tongue and keeping up with dental visits also plays a big part.
If you’ve tried all this and the problem isn’t going away, make time to see a dentist in Newstead. They’ll know what to look for and how to treat it without guesswork.
