The Common Culprits of Bad Breath

You were at a party enjoying yourself, when an acquaintance who’s had one too many made a snarky comment about your breath, and somehow it stuck with you. Bad breath can be embarrassing. The good thing is you can ask for help from the best dentist in Port St. Lucie. Don’t let bad breath ruin your self-confidence.  

The first step to combat bad breath is scheduling a consultation with your dentist. During your discussion, you will discover factors contributing to your condition. Let’s discover some of the most common culprits of bad breath.  

The Culprits: Why Your Breath Smells

Poor Dental Hygiene  

Don’t expect to have minty fresh breath if you’re not practicing good oral hygiene habits. One of the main causes of bad breath is neglecting your oral care routine. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth daily, food debris, plaque, and bacteria will stay on your teeth and cause your breath to stink.    

The rotting food particles left in your teeth provide a medium for odor-causing bacteria to flourish. Furthermore, poor dental habits predispose you to tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease, resulting in bad breath.  

Smoking Tobacco 

Smokers normally suffer from what is known as a smoker’s breath. This is the malodorous smell left behind by residual cigarette smoke that remains in their throats and lungs after smoking.  

Additionally, smoking leaves chemical compounds in your mouth, which combine with your saliva and cause bad breath. Apart from a stinking breath, chronic smoking will put you at risk of dry mouth and periodontal disease; both can lead to a foul-smelling breath.  

See the Best Dentist in Port St. Lucie

Ultimately, it all boils down to your choices. If you maintain proper oral hygiene practices and make certain lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, you don’t have to feel self-conscious about your breath. But if you’re still bothered and need help, we’re here.  

At Ricard Family Dentistry, we offer a wide range of dental treatments that will help improve your oral health. Contact us for an appointment.