We’ve all had bad breath once in a while, but prolonged periods of bad breath could mean something more than just a garlic-packed lunch or your post-morning coffee smell. Bad breath can actually indicate that something more serious is going on in your mouth, or with your overall health.
It’s normal to wake up in the morning with a somewhat foul taste in your mouth, which is caused by bacteria building up in the mouth. If left untouched, this bacteria can turn to plaque. The presence of plaque in the mouth will cause the breath to smell foul, and possibly lead to bigger problems. Those who have chronic bad breath could be at risk for gum disease, dry mouth and more.
Doctors and dentists often use the sign of bad breath as an indicator that something more serious is going on. If a mouth is unhealthy and malodorous, it’s likely that other things are happening in the body, such as infection, kidney failure, hormonal changes, dry mouth or lung problems.
To keep your breath smelling fresh, always brush twice a day and floss twice a day. Flossing helps to remove the plaque in the spots that a toothbrush can’t easily get to between the teeth. If you notice that no amount of brushing and flossing is helping your bad breath subside, contact your dentist or doctor to talk about the issue.
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