We have all had moments when our breath was less than stellar because bad breath is a natural occurrence for all people at some point. Bacteria live inside the mouth to help break down food particles that are left behind after eating. While proper brushing and flossing help to rid the mouth of excess bacteria, improper oral hygiene can be a major cause of bad breath. Chronic bad breath is a condition that needs to be addressed with your dentist in order to determine the underlying causes and treat them at the source. If poor dental hygiene, infrequent or improper brushing and flossing, is the cause then simple changes in your habits can go along way. However, infections and other issues will require more specific treatment.

Poor oral hygiene causes bad breath because food particles are left behind in the mouth after eating, and when they are not brushed and flossed away these food particles begin to decay inside the mouth. Yes, this is as gross as it sounds. While bacteria naturally occur inside the mouth, excess bacteria cause extreme dental damage and very bad breath. Proper flossing at least once a day along with brushing the teeth at least twice a day, will help to rid the mouth of food particles and excess bacteria.

Dietary choices can also affect how your breath smells. Obviously, a delicious Italian meal laden with garlic and onion will linger for a few hours, but there are other food and drink choices that have a more lasting affect on your breath. Coffee and alcohol are two of the main culprits of chronic bad breath. However, for those who are diligent about brushing their teeth and rinsing with mouthwash after consumption, any negative breath can be alleviated.

Smoking or any other use of tobacco-based products can cause extremely bad breath. These products also stain the teeth and irritate the gums, causing more bacteria to form in the mouth and increase the affect that they have on your breath.

Certain medications are known to cause bad breath due to how they dry out the mouth. Dry mouth is the insufficient production of saliva. Saliva is necessary to moisten the mouth, neutralize bacteria producing acids, and wash away dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, cheeks, and gums. When there is not an adequate amount of saliva production, these cells will decompose inside the mouth and cause bad breath.

Persistent bad breath is a dental issue that must be addressed. It is very important to find the root causes of the issue in order to treat these causes and to prevent further damage to the mouth. If you are here in the Fort Mill area or surrounding communities and suffer from chronic bad breath, contact Gold Hill Dentistry today. We are here to help you achieve optimal oral health.