Morning Breath: How to Prevent Halitosis

When it comes to bad breath, most people think about the consequences of eating onions or simply waking up in the morning. In many cases, this can easily be addressed by brushing your teeth and rinsing with mouthwash. However, if you continue to experience bad breath even after cleaning your mouth, you might be struggling with halitosis. Keep reading to learn how this condition happens and ways to prevent it in the future.

What is Halitosis?

Also known simply as “bad breath,” halitosis is most often a development of poor oral health and hygiene. In most instances, not even brushing, flossing, or rinsing with mouthwash thoroughly will get rid of this condition. If you notice that you have bad breath that persists, you might require help from a dentist, as this could be an indication of a more serious issue in your mouth.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Eating meals that contain ingredients like onions or garlic are typical factor for halitosis. That said, forgetting to maintain your smile with oral hygiene habits can also be a major drawback, especially when conversing with others in person.

Without proper cleaning of your teeth, gums, and tongue, you can run the risk of accumulating and spreading bacteria throughout your mouth. Not only will you be at a greater risk of cavities and periodontal disease, but you’ll also be more likely to experience halitosis. Other potential causes for chronic bad breath include:

• Dry mouth
• Diabetes
• Pneumonia or other similar infections
• Liver or kidney disease
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Tonsil stones
• Cancer (mainly of the head and neck)

How to Prevent Bad Breath

Your dentist will most likely provide you with specific tips on how to significantly reduce your risk of halitosis, such as:

• Rinsing with prescribed special mouthwash that targets bad breath
• Brushing and/or scraping your tongue clean, since it can accumulate lots of bacteria
• Cleaning your teeth twice daily and flossing once a day or after every meal to remove food and bacteria from contributing to halitosis
• Visiting your dentist bi-annually for routine checkups and cleanings
• Drinking lots of water and promoting good saliva flow to avoid dry mouth
• Eating raw veggies and fruits (like carrots, celery, apples, etc.) naturally scrubs teeth and clears out harmful particles in the mouth
• Consuming natural remedies like orange, green tea, yogurt, zinc, or pineapple juice to fight off bad odors
• Chewing sugar-free gums to promote saliva production and remove bacteria that can harm your smile

You don’t have to live with bad breath if you can help it! By keeping the above tips in mind and scheduling appointments with your dentist regularly, you can come up with a good plan to keep halitosis at bay while enjoying a strong and healthy smile in the long run.

About the Author

Dr. Patrick Crowley has dedicated himself to providing comprehensive and personalized dental care so that patients can enjoy great oral health. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, he offers a wide range of services to address various issues, including halitosis and can provide specific instructions on how to improve your situation. If you’d like to know more about how to maintain a healthy and fresh smile, visit his website or give him a call at 405-751-5515.