Tired of Morning Breath? Learn What Could Be Causing It
No one wants to wake up to morning breath yet it can seem inevitable. If you are tired of bad breath every morning, keep reading to learn what causes it and how you can reduce it. If you are ready to make an appointment with a dentist who can provide a thorough dental cleaning and exam to assure there is nothing serious causing the issue, contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161.
The Differences Between Morning Breath and Halitosis
First and foremost, let us discuss the difference between morning breath and halitosis. Halitosis refers to chronic bad breath that is not gotten rid of with mouthwash, chewing gum, or even brushing your teeth. Halitosis is a sign that there is something else going on, while morning breath is not an indication of a serious problem in and of itself.
The Cause of Morning Breath
Everyone gets morning breath because it is the natural result of bacteria building up in the mouth during sleep. Every person has both bad and good bacteria in their mouths – and these bacteria will live their entire lifespan in the mouth. They are born there, eat there, product waste, reproduce, and eventually die – all in the mouth. Depending on which part of the life cycle they are in, they will cause different smells.
During sleep, the bacteria are able to be more active because they are not interrupted or affected by brushing, drinking, eating, spitting, gum choosing, etc.
Some Factors Can Make Morning Breath Worse
While everyone has some level of morning breath, some factors can make it worse for some than others. For example, certain types of food cause bad breath. The normal culprits, garlic, onions, and certain spices, get into your bloodstream when you eat them, and then move to the lungs. They can make your breath much worse in the morning, even if you brush your teeth and floss as you should.
If you have dry mouth, you can also have worse breath. Think of saliva as the natural cleanser in your mouth. It breaks down bacteria and washes away food particles. If your mouth is dry, then saliva is not able to do its job. Saliva production generally slows down when you are sleeping.
While brushing and flossing won’t prevent morning breath on their own, if you do not brush or floss then it can be made worse. Finally, if you smoke, then you can count on bad morning breath. The chemical ingredients in the cigarettes you smoke can stick around for hours. Your chances of gum disease are also higher if you smoke, and gum disease can cause bad breath.
If you have serious, chronic bad breath that is not affected by brushing, flossing, using mouthwash, etc., then it is time to talk to your dentist. Contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to get started.
