Bad Breath Causes And Cures

Written By Kassandra Foreman / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

There are many things that can cause bad breath - some with easy solutions and cures and others that are more complicated to manage. Taking care of your oral hygiene is always the first step to avoiding bad breath and can be a cure for many of the concerns that cause it, along with regular dental visits to address any cavities, injury, or abscesses.

Other causes may include food choices as well as other health concerns such as ulcers or postnasal drip.

Dry mouth and bad breath

When facing unpleasant breath, it is important to first rule out the most common and easily cured causes. Dry mouth is one of the most common, and this can be caused by not drinking enough fluids or by medications.

To solve this concern, drink more water, and if the issue continues or seems connected to a medication that you are using, then contacting a pharmacist, your family doctor, or your dentist is the next step.

When the mouth remains dry and without saliva the food pieces and bacteria are not rinsed away as they usually are and they become trapped within the mouth, causing bad breath to occur.

There are several products from gum to mouthwashes that are used to solve dry mouth. These products may need to be used on an ongoing basis to keep the issue controlled but are easily available.

Brushing and flossing for bad breath

The next easiest cause is food pieces and bacteria that are on and around the teeth. These may be caught between the teeth or between the teeth and gums, and the cure is to keep the mouth clean and remove all the bits of food from the teeth after eating.

Brushing and flossing twice a day will keep these bits of food to a minimum, and regular dental visits and cleanings will help remove harder to reach places. Dental visits will also monitor for cavities where food particles often hide and become stuck. Having the cavity cleaned out and filled is the only solution.

Any tooth that has become damaged and forms an infection will cause bad breath. In these instances it is the infection and bacteria itself that causes the smell and only clearing the infection will solve it.

Infections and bad breath

Other health concerns can also increase bad breath occurrences. Things such as infections within the body can cause increased bacteria that will cause bad breath, postnasal drip from things such as allergies or sinus infections. These have bacteria that cause bad breath and it will be improved when the infection or other concern is treated and solved.

Food choices and bad breath

Food choices are also a main cause of bad breath, not only as they pass through the mouth, but also as they are digested because the smell can carry up from the stomach and through the mouth. Choosing foods that are low odor or that digest easily and quickly can solve this, along with avoiding strong smelling foods such as garlic.

Bad breath can only be cured when the root cause is located and treated, whether that is as easy as a mouthwash to avoid bad breath, brushing and flossing, or as complicated as treating a stomach ulcer or abscessed tooth.

Looking for a 100% all-natural liquid tooth oil and mouth rinse? Check out OraMD Original Strength and OraMD Extra Strength. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral care, skincare, body care and foot care. If you are looking for more health resources check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Written By:

Kassandra Foreman has been writing freelance for five years now and enjoys learning about new things to write about. When not writing she teaches yoga and meditation with a focus on health and fitness.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

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