What To Do When Sudden Bad Breath Strikes

Feeling like bad breath is constantly creeping up on you can be a frustrating situation. The most important thing to realize if this sounds all too relatable is that bad breath is an indication that something is amiss with your oral health. Discovering the root cause behind why you’re experiencing chronic halitosis is the first and most critical step towards finding a permanent solution. Here’s what to do when sudden bad breath strikes and how your dentist can help.

Causes of Sudden Bad Breath

Bad breath has many causes, and some can be pretty serious, especially if left undetected and untreated. The reasoning behind bad breath can be different for everyone, and a few factors dictate how your breath smells from someone else’s breath. There are two main categories when it comes to why your breath smells:

Morning Breath

Sleep creates a dangerous atmosphere for your teeth, gums, and tongue due to slower saliva production. Saliva is crucial in making your mouth a balanced place because saliva helps rinse away bacteria and protect your enamel. Without enough saliva, bacteria can grow more quickly.

Chronic Halitosis

Chronic bad breath can stem from serious health problems that require prompt treatment. It can also be related to relatively casual factors that will improve with some home adjustments. A surprising number of people experience halitosis – about 25%, so don’t feel alone if you can’t seem to freshen your breath.

Causes of Chronic Halitosis

The best way to determine if you are experiencing chronic halitosis is to schedule an exam with your dentist. Your dentist can help distinguish whether your bad breath is a result of an untreated dental issue or if it’s something more serious. Regardless, dental experts can help you develop a treatment plan based on the underlying cause of your bad breath.

Any of the following may be a contributing factor:

Gum Disease. The presence of additional bacteria from periodontal infections leads to a bad taste and smell in the mouth.

Tooth Decay. Decay is also accompanied by additional bacterial growth that worsens breath as the tooth continues to decay.

Dry Mouth. Xerostomia is a lack of sufficient saliva production, which dries out the mouth. If your mouth does not have adequate saliva production to help wash away acids, these acids can release sulfur, leading to less-than-ideal breath. Other acids are also smelly and damaging to the mouth.

Improper Fit of Dental Appliances. If you wear a nightguard or dentures, a poor fit can cause the PH levels in your mouth to become imbalanced.

Other Infections. The following can intensify bad breath: pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, diabetes, acid reflux, and some liver or kidney issues.

How To Reverse Symptoms of Bad Breath

Keep bad breath at bay by giving your oral hygiene routine a boost.

Floss Daily. If you’re not a regular flosser, now is the time to start if you’re experiencing less than fresh breath. Floss helps remove harmful bacteria and food particles from areas of your mouth that your toothbrush can’t reach.

Brush Your Tongue. Your tongue hosts a whole lot of bacteria, and giving your tongue a good scrub to rid yourself of some of those bacteria colonies is a great and simple addition to your hygiene routine. 

Use an Antibacterial Mouthwash. Make sure you’re using the correct type of mouthwash by selecting a rinse that doesn’t contain alcohol. Alcohol-based rinses can dry out your mouth and may be linked to other health issues. An alcohol-free rinse will help to keep your mouth moist and wash away bacteria and acids.

Stay Hydrated. Drinking water throughout the day keeps your body hydrated and cleanses your mouth, all while stimulating your natural saliva production. Drinking the daily recommended amount of water each day will keep your breath and body happy and healthy.

Using Effective Dental Products. Ask your dentist for a personal recommendation on dental tools that can improve your quality of clean at your next exam. Switching from a manual to an electric toothbrush can improve the quality of your brushing if you have trouble reaching certain areas with a manual toothbrush or struggle with not brushing for long enough.

When To Seek Professional Help

If you have chronic halitosis that won’t seem to go away after giving extra attention to your oral hygiene habits, see your dentist for a complete evaluation and exam to help determine the underlying cause of your bad breath. Schedule an appointment with Aubrey Baudean DDS, today for help solving your bad breath situation.