Bad breath is a source of embarrassment for many people. Actually, it occurs when the bacteria in your mouth break down the food particles that lurk between your teeth, and along your gum lines and tongue. These release nasty compounds that are responsible for halitosis or bad breath. Below are five other reasons why your breath reeks.
You are Breathing Through Your Mouth
If you breathe through your mouth, saliva is likely to evaporate. This could make your mouth dry and unable to remove food particles. Unfortunately, a wide range of people breathe through their mouths while they sleep or exercise.
Several researchers probed into dental hygiene in athletes. For instance, a 2015 study conducted by German researchers revealed that the more people spend in a training session, the more likely they are to have cavities. Perhaps, the reduced flow of saliva during exercise is at fault, but this should not keep you from working out. Just make sure you drink plenty of water during your workout program.
You Have Not Eaten All Day
You should know that skipping regular meals could result in halitosis or bad breath. That is because saliva production lowers when you do not eat. Note that saliva does not only flush out food particles, but also breaks down food to help it slide through your throat more easily.
Besides, skipping meals is not a good way to lose weight fast. On the contrary, it could have counterproductive results. That is because your metabolism slows down when you skip meals and your body burns less calories. This could make you pack on more pounds.
You Smoke or Drink
Smoking does not only increase the odor-inducing compounds in your mouth and lungs, but can also dry your mouth, leading to halitosis. Indeed, smoking can lower production of saliva, considering a study conducted in 2004 by researchers from Hong Kong.
Likewise, alcohol can be responsible for your bad breath. A 2007 study carried out in Israel reveals that drinking alcohol is associated with higher rates of halitosis. Actually, participants were required to fast for 12 hours and were allowed to brush their teeth in the next morning. However, booze was found to dry the mouth, leading to bad breath. Plus, when the body metabolizes alcohol, it releases bad odors.
Certain Medications Dry Your Mouth
Certain medications, like
antihistamines, diuretics, antipsychotics, and muscle relaxants, could dry your
mouth. Indeed, these meds can reduce the production of saliva in your mouth,
which causes several types of bacteria to reside there.
Of course, if you need to take a medication, you should not just stop. Yet, you
can try to clean your tongue with a toothbrush or a tongue scraper. The
American dental association confirms that your tongue contains several types of
bacteria that cause bad breath and scrapping them off could solve this problem.
So, do not forget to wash your tongue while brushing your teeth.
If you do not suffer from any of the above-mentioned problems, a good dental
hygienist could help you find the root cause of this issue and recommend viable
solutions.
