Surprising Reasons for Bad Breath, Says Albuquerque Dentist

Imagine this: you just had the most delicious chicken salad sandwich. The only problem was that they added far too many onions. Pair the onions with the smell of chicken, and you have killer breath. You look for gum in vain. What to do?

Contrary to popular belief, bad breath doesn’t solely arise from a lack of brushing. Halitosis, commonly referred to as bad breath, can spring from many causes. From foods you eat to medical ailments to plain old morning breath, halitosis can affect anyone at any time. To help you understand the causes of bad breath a little better, your Albuquerque dentist presents a few factors linked to bad breath.

Habits that Cause Halitosis

The main component for halitosis stems from an excessive accumulation of bacteria, which produce smelly sulfur compounds. Consider the following factors, and see if any of these apply to you.

• Medications. Many medications, especially antidepressants, diuretics, and even aspirin can cause dry mouth and a reduction in saliva production. Without adequate saliva, the odor-causing bacteria that produce bad breath linger in your mouth.
• Respiratory tract infections. If you have a case of bronchitis, sinusitis, or even a milder illness like a cold, you may have found the source of your bad breath. Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) break down tissue, and bacteria feed on the loosened cells and mucus. This creates foul odors that escape through your mouth.
• Skipping breakfast. Breakfast in the morning can stimulate saliva production and rinse bacteria from your tongue, ultimately fighting off morning breath. Of course, you must also brush!
• Diet. If you’re partial to eating high-protein foods or large quantities of dairy products, your body produces amino acids in abundance, which fuels bacteria. Also, a low-carb diet burns stored fat and create toxic-smelling ketones. Together, these two yield bad-smelling breath.
• Breathing through your mouth. Any medical condition that forces you to breathe from your mouth encourages bad breath. These include sleep apnea, snoring, and asthma.
• Illness. Kidney failure evokes a fishy smell in your breath, while uncontrolled diabetes brings out a more potent fruity odor.

Snow Park Dental Offers Halitosis Prevention

If you have trouble with bad breath and these tips didn’t resolve the issue, visit Snow Park Dental. To schedule an appointment, call us at (505) 596-4479. You can also visit our website to view our smile gallery, print patient forms, and read reviews from loyal patients. We look forward to treating families from Rio Rancho, Corrales, Edgewood, Tijeras, Los Lunas, and surrounding communities.

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