Did you know that almost 25% of the US population suffers from bad breath?
If you suffer from bad breath it is nothing to be embarrassed about.
But what causes bad breath?
A common cause of bad breath is poor dental hygiene. If you are not brushing and flossing twice per day you are more susceptible to developing bad breath. By brushing and flossing, you are removing any food, bacteria, and plaque that can lead to bad breath.
Even with proper dental hygiene you still need to visit the dentist. Your dentist will be able to remove the plaque that you may have missed. If you allow plaque to build up, it can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Gum disease causes pockets in your gums that can collect more plaque and bacteria. A major side effect of gum disease is bad breath.
Dry mouth is also a common cause of bad breath. Dry mouth can be brought on by things such as consuming caffeine, alcohol, or due to dehydration. Keeping yourself hydrated throughout the day and having a proper diet (chewing increases saliva flow), are good ways to avoid dry mouth.
As we mentioned, bad breath affects millions of individuals. If you do experience bad breath be sure to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sachs to address the issue and find relief.