BAD BREATH (ICK...)

Been there, had that or...been there, smelled that (hehe- for those of you who don't want to admit to being humanly gross)

I think we can all agree morning breath isn't pleasant and that's another reason to brush REGULARLY (2x a day). So why do we wake up every morning with bad breath and what causes bad breath in general? Well...let's get down to the science behind it. In some people's cases, it's not just morning breath and can be a VERY serious health problem.

Bad breath can be tricky. What's tricky about it? The root cause. I'm not talking about bad breath from eating that cheesy garlic-y pizza you had for lunch. I'm talking about a bacterial invasion in your mouth that you haven't been properly taking care of. Ask yourself this and be honest, when was the last time you flossed? If it's been more than a couple of days, chances are your bad breath is a result of food remnants stuck between your teeth and it's usually hiding between your molars.  Naturally, our bodies both internally and externally are covered in many different types of bacteria. DO NOT BE ALARMED. It is completely normal! In fact, in your gut, you have entire colonies of bacteria that help you digest and absorb the foods you eat. Sometimes, though, these bacteria get out of hand and may overpopulate and that can cause health problems. Same goes for bacteria in your mouth! If you let bacteria overpopulate in your mouth and actually feed them (by not flossing...they will feed on your leftovers between your molars), you probably will end up with bad breath.

SO, MY FRIEND...

That is just one cause of bad breath! The food remnants rotting is another cause. Any tooth decay in your mouth will also cause bad breath. If you have any sort of infections, that can also result in bad breath. On a more serious note, tobacco product users who are more at risk of gum disease, are more likely to have bad breath. Another cause of bad breath is dry mouth, which can arise due to certain medications, or simply during sleep (morning breath...gross but unavoidable). You gotta brush 2x a day.

If you are experiencing a severe case of bad breath and you're brushing regularly and flossing as you should, I'd suggest you see a dentist right away! It may be out of your hands at this point and a professional health care provider will be able better assist you.