Have you ever woken up and thought, “what is that smell?” only to realize it’s your breath? If so, you’re not alone.
All mouths are full of both good and bad bacteria, and while we sleep, that bacteria hang out in our mouths turning into bad breath until we open our mouths the next morning. Annoying? Sure. Harmful? Nah. Morning breath is normal and not a chronic issue in the same way that halitosis is. In fact, with a good tooth brushing and some mouthwash, you’ll be good as new.
So what causes morning breath?
Food – Eating certain foods such as onions, garlic, and spices before bed can make morning breath worse. Avoid these before bedtime and make sure that you brush and floss before going to bed.
Dry mouth – We’ve talked about it before but saliva is crucial to a healthy mouth. Without saliva, your body is unable to wash away harmful bacteria that breed inside your mouth. Mouth breathing dries out the mouth and keeps your body from producing much-needed saliva to wash away bad bacteria.
Medications – Unfortunately, bad breath is a side effect of certain medications especially those that cause dry mouth which makes morning breath worse.
Smoking – Not only do tobacco products cause an unpleasant mouth odor, but they can also cause gum disease that can cause bad breath as well.
Poor oral hygiene – You’ve got to brush two times per day for at least two minutes and floss daily. It’s a must.
And don’t forget to visit Jackson Dental regularly. If you feel your morning breath is following you throughout the day, we can help determine whether other underlying issues or conditions are at play. Give us a call today at 573-243-5200 to schedule an appointment.