Everyone equates bad breath with poor oral hygiene. And while oral hygiene is generally a factor contributing to bad breath, which is also known as halitosis, you’ll discover that it’s not the only cause of bad breath. There are two other culprits that can also play a part in the condition.

Bad breath is caused by the presence of bacteria in the mouth, throat and stomach. Bacteria produce volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) as part of the process when they break down proteins in the tissues, leading to the digestive system (the mouth and throat). These compounds can smell like rotten eggs or onions and can make your breath smell the same. 

Chronic bad breath is not just unpleasant; it can also damage relationships and affect your dental health. 

Learn three of the main causes of bad breath and how you can best prevent them from our experienced dentists in Chiang Mai.   

1. Poor Oral Hygiene

The main cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene. If you fail to brush and floss regularly and thoroughly, food particles that collect on teeth, tongue and gums can begin to decay and emit odors as bacteria is attracted to the food source and releases sulfur compounds as they process the food. The sulfur compounds can also cause gum disease, which can also cause bad breath.  

Smoking can also increase your risk of gum disease. It can cause an inability to produce enough saliva to prevent areas of your mouth from drying out. This makes it easier for bacteria to grow, and the lack of saliva makes the smells of decay more noticeable.  

2. Drinking Alcohol

Drinking alcohol can also encourage the production of bacteria. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, which means it increases urine production and can lead to dehydration. Many people notice they perspire more and get “cotton-mouth” when they drink. These are some of the effects of dehydration. When you’re dehydrated, your body doesn’t produce enough saliva, which can lead to a dry mouth. A dry mouth allows bacteria to grow, which, as mentioned, can cause bad breath. 

Your body also converts alcohol into acetic acid, which has a vinegar-like smell and can add to the bad breath problem. About 10% of the alcohol in your body exits through your breath, sweat, and urine. Drinking alcohol can change the balance of bacteria in your mouth through this respiration, and makes it easier for harmful bacteria to grow and multiply in your mouth and throat when aided by your dry mouth condition. 

3. Skipping Breakfast

Many people aren’t aware that there’s a direct correlation between skipping breakfast and bad breath. Skipping breakfast reduces saliva production, which allows bacteria to grow in the mouth and produce the sulfur compounds, which can cause bad breath. Chewing food thoroughly increases saliva production, which helps wash away food particles and fight bacteria. When you don’t eat, there’s no reason for your body to produce saliva. 

Skipping meals and not drinking enough liquids can also cause dehydration, which reduces the production of saliva and may lead to dry mouth, which can make bacteria reproduce quicker. 

Visit GrandDent Dental Clinic

Visit an experienced dental clinic offering a range of dental services, and enjoy healthier teeth and gums and better control over bad breath. GrandDent Dental Clinic offers a wide range of dental services at our Chiang Mai clinic. 

After a thorough examination, our experienced Chiang Mai dentists will also tell you how you can improve your dental hygiene and offer a range of services that will address any dental problems you might have. Our services include:

• Dental cleaning
• Veneers
• Tooth whitening
• Fillings
• Endodontic treatments
• Orthodontics
• Oral surgery
• Crown implants
• Premium dental implants
• All-on-4 and all-on-6 dental implants
• Full-mouth reconstruction
• Bespoke smile makeover

Don’t become a victim of your bad breath problems. Visit GrandDent Dental Clinic to improve your dental health. Make an appointment with us today.