Nearly everyone has bad breath now and then. It can be caused by certain foods you eat or when you can't brush your teeth on schedule. You might even notice your breath is much worse in the morning after your mouth dries out overnight. While bad breath under those circumstances is pretty normal, when you struggle with the condition on a daily basis, it could be a signal that something is wrong. Here are some things that can cause bad breath and how your dentist can help.

Dry Mouth

One of the reasons for bad morning breath is because your mouth gets dry at night when you fall asleep with your mouth open. If dry mouth is a constant problem, then you may have bad breath all the time. Dry mouth has a number of causes from a side effect of medication to the result of a medical condition. Your dentist might be able to help by recommending products to use that provide moisture to your mouth such as lubricating gels and artificial saliva. You can also try drinking plenty of water throughout the day and suck on sugar-free candy and gum. If you have dry mouth, you'll want to work closely with your dentist to help keep bad breath under control and to prevent cavities caused by decreased saliva.

Dental Infections And Cavities

If you have bad teeth with several cavities, then you may struggle with bad breath every day. Bad breath is caused by bacteria that build up in cavities and on teeth that aren't brushed regularly. The bad odor may be amplified when a bad tooth is infected and the bacteria build. You can use mouthwash and other breath fresheners, but you won't get rid of bad breath caused by dental problems until your dentist has restored the health of your teeth. Depending on the extent of your tooth decay this could involve fillings, crowns, or even dentures.

Poor Oral Hygiene

One big reason for bad breath is poor oral hygiene. If you don't brush and floss regularly, a film develops on your teeth that harbors bacteria. The bacteria give off a bad odor and the plaque formation can also irritate your gums and lead to gum disease. If you develop gum disease, your problems with bad breath will escalate. These problems are preventable through daily brushing and flossing along with periodic dental cleanings at your dental office. Regular checkups are not only vital for keeping your teeth healthy, as a result, you'll have fewer problems with bad breath.

Bad breath is not always a symptom of poor oral health. Sometimes the odor is caused by a medical condition you might have. Your dentist may need to refer you to a doctor for an examination if he or she suspects your bad breath might be the result of a medical problem. If you're dealing with chronic bad breath, it's a good idea to visit your dentist for treatment. You'll not only enjoy eliminating the embarrassing problem of bad breath, but you could be protecting your health as well. To learn more, contact a dental clinic like Centre Family Dentistry.