Whether you've just woken up or eaten a particularly flavorful meal, you may suddenly find people making a few faces at you whenever you talk. It could very well be that you have a case of bad breath. This can sometimes be an embarrassing situation to find yourself in, especially if it's on a first date. However, it could also be a sign that something isn't quite right in your body. This article will discuss what causes bad breath and what it could mean for your health.
The Mouth And Food
Obviously, when you consume food, the first place it goes is in your mouth. Depending on what you eat, like garlic, onions, or cheese, these odors could remain in your mouth for some time. Even brushing your teeth or flossing may not be rid of the odor. As such, you just have to wait until the food completely breakdowns in your mouth. There are certain beverages which can give your mouth an odor as well. Coffee and some alcoholic beverages can give you dry mouth. This allows bacteria to grow inside of your mouth because there isn't saliva available to wash it away. As such, the odor grows. You can easily solve this by drinking water to flush your mouth. You may also want to consider stopping by your local dentist to have a thorough cleaning.
Gum Disease
If, however, you notice that after repeated brushings and flossing, you still have an odor in your mouth, you may have gum disease. This can come about due to the plaque on your teeth growing. This buildup of plaque allows for bacteria to grow and essentially irritate the gums. If bleeding gums and a foul mouth wasn't enough, if you allow gum disease to persist, it could eventually spread to your jawbone. This may require surgical correction.
Bronchitis
It may be surprising to know that if you have a consistent odor in your mouth, you may either have or be getting bronchitis. While it may come about due to a cold or flu virus that you just experience, it can also be developed through a growth of bacteria. If you're not taking care of your teeth, the bacteria in your mouth could end up infecting your lungs. This could develop into bronchitis which means you're out sick for another few days and miserable. Seeing a dentist can not only help ensure that the bacteria are consistently abated, but they can also give you a fair warning as to if you're showing signs of bronchitis or not.
To make sure that your foul-smelling mouth isn't a sign of something terrible, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist. They're trained professionals eager to ensure that your mouth is as clean and healthy as possible. For many illnesses, the first battlefield is located in the mouth. Don't battle it alone.