When your breath smells bad in the morning, it might be easily laughed off in the moment. When it smells bad even after you brush and floss, though, it could be a sign of a bigger problem. You may already know that the clinical word for this condition is halitosis. What you might not know is that the solution isn’t as simple as buying a bottle of mouthwash.

Causes

Common causes of bad breath in La Grange, KY may include the following:

• Sulfur: We don’t tend to think of foods like garlic and onions in terms of their sulfur content, but this is the compound that absorbs into the bloodstream and affects the breath until the food exits the body.
• Rotting food: The more you leave behind when you brush and floss, the more food particles have a chance to rot between the teeth and on the gums.
• Dry mouth: Saliva is a key way that you can cleanse the mouth of debris and particles left behind by food. If you have certain conditions, such as a gland disorder, or you take certain medications, this can affect your breath.

Signs and Solutions

The signs of bad breath are as much to do with societal standards as they are to do with your own. If well-meaning people indicate that your breath might need to be addressed, then this is likely a sign that you need to see a dentist.

Of course, if you find yourself breathing into your hand and being appalled at what you smell in return, this is also a sign that you may need to see a dentist in La Grange, Ky. If your breath isn’t as simple as avoiding certain foods on date nights, Byrne Family Dentistry invites you to give us a call.