Having bad breath even after brushing your teeth can be frustrating and embarrassing. There are many potential causes for persistent bad breath, ranging from the foods you eat, to underlying health conditions. Understanding the common culprits behind bad breath can help you pinpoint why your breath smells and allow you to take steps to freshen it.
Common Causes of Bad Breath After Brushing
Here are some of the most common reasons you may still have bad breath even after brushing your teeth:
Foods That Cause Bad Breath
Certain foods are notorious for contributing to bad breath. Food particles can get trapped in your mouth, causing odor. Sulfur compounds in some foods can also be released when you digest them, traveling through your blood to your lungs, which can then cause breath odor. Common culprits include:
– Garlic – The sulfur compounds in garlic can cause garlic breath for hours after eating it. The smelly compounds make their way into your bloodstream and eventually into your lungs.
– Onions – Like garlic, onions contain sulfur compounds that are broken down into smelly substances that make their way into your breath.
– Dairy – Foods like milk, cheese and yogurt contain proteins that break down in your mouth, causing odor. The fats and proteins can coat your tongue and throat leading to a buildup of bacteria and bad breath.
– Fish – Fish has a strong odor and the breakdown of fish proteins in your stomach and mouth can cause fishy breath.
– Coffee – Coffee’s strong aroma comes from compounds like caffeine, polyphenols and volatile organic compounds. As these break down in your mouth, they can contribute to coffee breath.
A Dry Mouth
Saliva helps cleanse your mouth of bacteria and food debris. When you have a dry mouth, you have less saliva to wash away odor-causing particles. Dry mouth can be caused by:
– Dehydration – Not drinking enough water can lead to a dry mouth.
– Breathing through your mouth – This can dry out your mouth.
– Certain medications – Drugs like antihistamines, diuretics, antidepressants and painkillers can reduce saliva flow.
– Medical conditions – Sjögren’s syndrome, diabetes, anxiety disorders, hypertension and Parkinson’s disease can all cause dry mouth.
– Aging – Saliva production can decrease as you get older.
Gum Disease
Gum disease occurs when plaque builds up on your teeth and gums due to poor oral hygiene. It leads to gingivitis and eventually periodontitis. The bacteria from gum disease can cause bad breath. Signs of gum disease include:
– Red, swollen or tender gums
– Bleeding when brushing
– Gums pulling away from teeth
– Persistent bad breath
– Loose teeth
Tongue Coating
The bumpy surface of your tongue can trap smelly bacteria, dead cells, and debris. This white or yellowish tongue coating provides a perfect breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria.
Throat Infections
Infections in your throat from bacteria or viruses can contribute to bad breath. Tonsillitis, throat infections, and postnasal drip can lead to excess mucus and bacteria in the throat and mouth.
Cavities
Cavities form from the buildup of plaque and bacteria on your teeth. As they get bigger, food particles can get trapped inside, along with more bacteria. The bacteria release foul-smelling gases as they feed on the trapped food debris.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Not brushing and flossing properly or frequently enough allows bacteria to thrive in your mouth. The bacteria accumulate on your teeth, gums and tongue causing bad breath. Dirty dentures can also harbor odor-causing bacteria if not cleaned properly.
When to See a Doctor
While minor bad breath can often be remedied with improved oral hygiene, sometimes there is an underlying medical issue that needs attention. See your dentist or doctor if you experience:
– Persistent chronic bad breath even with good oral hygiene
– Bad breath along with symptoms like an unexplained weight loss, fever, swollen lymph nodes or bleeding gums
– Sudden changes in breath odor
– Bad breath with a metallic, ammonia-like taste
These could signal an underlying medical condition that needs further evaluation. Your dentist or doctor can determine if your bad breath is just from poor hygiene or if there is another illness or infection contributing to the problem.
Tips for Preventing Bad Breath
Practicing good oral hygiene and making lifestyle changes can often resolve bad breath issues:
Brush and Floss Properly
– Brush at least twice a day for 2 minutes each time. Make sure to gently brush your tongue, cheeks and roof of your mouth as well as your teeth.
– Floss at least once a day to clear food particles and plaque from between teeth.
– If you wear dentures, clean them thoroughly each day. Soak and brush them to remove food and bacteria.
Clean Your Tongue
Use a tongue scraper or brush to gently scrape off bacteria and debris from the surface of your tongue. This helps freshen breath.
Drink Water
Stay hydrated to promote good saliva flow, which washes away particles that cause odor.
Cut Back on Smelly Foods
Limit garlic, onions and other foods that tend to cause bad breath. Have them only at meals rather than for snacks.
Quit Smoking
Smoking dries out your mouth and leads to the buildup of odor-causing bacteria.
Chew Gum or Use Mints
Chewing sugarless gum can promote saliva flow to wash away food particles. Mints can also mask bad breath odors.
| Food | Reason it Causes Bad Breath |
|---|---|
| Garlic | Sulfur compounds get absorbed into the bloodstream and lungs |
| Onions | Sulfur compounds get absorbed into the bloodstream and lungs |
| Dairy | Proteins and fats coat the mouth and promote bacteria growth |
| Fish | Fish proteins break down and release odors |
| Coffee | Caffeine and volatile compounds break down and cause odor |
When to See a Dentist or Doctor for Bad Breath
| Symptom | Potential Issue |
|---|---|
| Chronic bad breath with good hygiene | Underlying medical issue |
| Bad breath with unexplained weight loss, fever or swollen lymph nodes | Infection or illness |
| Sudden change in breath odor | Infection, illness or condition |
| Metallic, ammonia taste | Kidney or liver issue |
Conclusion
Bad breath can be frustrating, but identifying the potential source of the problem is the first step towards freshening your breath. Food particles, dry mouth, gum disease, tongue coating, infections, poor hygiene and dental issues can all contribute to bad breath. While diligent oral care like brushing, flossing and tongue scraping can help, sometimes you need a dentist or doctor to diagnose and treat an underlying condition. Seek medical advice if you have chronic bad breath along with other symptoms, or sudden changes in odor. With the right prevention tips and treatment when necessary, you can say goodbye to bad breath.