Health & Fitness
Shy Away from Morning Breath!
Does morning breath bother you? Here are some tips on dealing with halitosis, or bad breath.
Do you wake up in the morning with an unpleasant taste in your mouth? You may be experiencing a case of bad breath, also known as halitosis. Bad breath can not only harm relationships, but more importantly your oral health! Morning breath is typically a result of plaque buildup in the mouth that causes inflammation and a release of bad odors. However, common medical problems including diabetes, bronchitis, liver disease, acid reflux, and respiratory tract infections can also cause bad breath.
Saliva plays a key role in preventing bad breath by killing bacteria in the mouth and washing away food particles. As you are asleep, the production of saliva steadily decreases. Thus, the cleansing process of food particles and bacteria is limited during sleep. Going to sleep without implementing good oral health habits, such as brushing and flossing, can not only lead to bad breath, but also tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
In order to help increase saliva production and ultimately prevent morning breath, here are a few things to remember:
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Some medications can result in a dry mouth overnight, worsening morning breath.
Smoking is not only bad for your lungs, but it can also lead to a dry mouth and morning breath.
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Mucus from allergies or sickness can cause halitosis. The odor-causing bacteria thrive on mucus and can multiply within the mouth.
Use a non-alcoholic mouthwash before going to sleep in order to prevent a dry mouth.
Clear your nasal passages before going to bed to avoid breathing through your mouth.
Sometimes it can be hard to tell whether or not your breath smells. Looking at your dental floss after flossing to see if the floss smells or if your gums are bleeding can be a good indication of the presence of odors within your mouth. Don’t forget to brush your tongue, which holds odor-causing bacteria!
There is no need to be worried or embarrassed! Halitosis is treatable and easy to eliminate. It is important to have a healthy diet and to drink water. Make sure to carefully rinse, floss, and brush after your morning breakfast. Avoid diets and foods that lack nutrition and have strong odors. When food particles and plaque are not quickly removed from your teeth, bacteria multiply and create unpleasant odors. Stay away from acidic foods, as they provide a favorable environment for bacteria to thrive.
You can lower the amount of bacteria in your mouth by practicing proper oral health care on a daily basis!
Feel free to contact Drs. Ali & Ali and the caring team at Wellesley Dental Group if you have any thoughts or concerns; they will be happy to answer your questions! Contact us today at 781-237-9071 or smile@wellesleydentalgroup.com to set up an appointment and consultation.
Your little ones and teens are welcome to visit our pediatric dentist Dr. Kim or Dr.Pradhan. Dr. Emad is happy to help with your orthodontic needs. For wisdom teeth extractions or any other oral surgery needs Dr. Ghazi would be more than willing to help.
References:
http://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health/why-do-we-have-morning-breath.aspx
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/change-your-breath-from-bad-to-good
http://www.breathmd.com/bad-morning-breath.php
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