Imagine this: you wake up in the morning feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready to take on the day, only to discover that your breath stinks! Maybe you can tell you have morning breath, or maybe your sleeping partner kindly alerted you. Either way, bad breath in the morning can start your day off on the wrong foot. Fortunately, a few simple tips can go a long way in keeping your breath fresh as you begin a new day! Read on as your Arlington Heights dentist explains the top five most common causes of morning breath and what you can do about it.
1.) Tobacco Use
An incredibly common, but often overlooked, cause of bad morning breath is tobacco use. Smoking and chewing tobacco go hand-in-hand with bad breath for a variety of reasons, and can cause practically every other item on this list. Kicking tobacco use is something that will be good for your overall health as well as your breath in the mornings.
2.) Food
You are probably aware that certain foods are notorious for their stinky smells. Foods like garlic, onions, spices, and some cheeses leave particles in your mouth which can release foul-smelling gases in your mouth while you sleep. However, you don’t have to stop eating your favorite food if it causes you bad morning breath! Just make sure to drink plenty of water while you eat to wash away those stinky particles.
3.) Dry Mouth
Do you snore? Do you often wake up with your mouth open? If your mouth is open while you sleep, it will likely dry out and cause bad morning breath. Bacteria naturally live in your mouth, and your saliva is key for continuously washing them away. If your mouth dries out, these bacteria linger, build up, and cause a bad odor in your mouth. Talk to your dentist or doctor about treating your snoring disorder and make sure to drink plenty of water in the daytime to prevent dry mouth!
4.) Poor Oral Hygiene
Naturally, your saliva can only do so much to prevent bad breath caused by oral bacteria. You still need to brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day to make sure your smile stays clean and fresh. You should also be flossing daily, brushing your tongue often, and rinsing with mouthwash regularly to keep any foul-smelling (and potentially harmful) bacteria at bay.
5.) An Oral Health Issue
If none of the above seem to be the answer to your bad morning breath, then you may have an oral health issue that needs to be looked at by your dentist. Serious problems like gum disease or a tooth abscess can cause chronic bad breath, and need to be treated right away to prevent further complications. If you’re having trouble controlling your morning breath, schedule an appointment with your dentist so they can help you discover and treat the underlying issue.
About the Practice
Our team here at Costello & DeHart Dental Excellence has been serving the families of Arlington Heights for more than half a century. We’re proud to offer the latest dental treatments alongside state-of-the-art equipment and a friendly atmosphere to make sure you get the high-quality dental care you deserve. Whether you’re interested in replacing missing teeth, you have unexplained dental pain, or you’re having difficulty getting a handle on your morning breath, we’re here to help! Don’t hesitate to reach out to us online or at (847) 259-1111.