Valentine’s Day is coming up. Do you have a romantic date night planned for your special person? If so, you’ve likely thought of all the ways you can make the night a great one. But have you given any thought to your breath? If you’ve been battling chronic bad breath, you’ll want to get to the root of the problem and treat it as soon as possible to avoid a dating disaster!

At Dr. James C Ross Family, Cosmetic, & Laser Dentistry in Novi, MI, we can get to the root of the problem and get you the treatment you need to freshen your breath in time for your romantic date night.

But first, what could be causing your bad breath in the first place?

Causes Of Bad Breath

With so many possible causes of bad breath, it can be hard to narrow it down to the exact root of the problem. We suggest you take a closer look at the list below of potential causes of bad breath, then consider your own lifestyle choices to determine which could be to blame for the stench. Possible causes of bad breath include:

  • Food

This one shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise for you. Food is one of the main sources of bad mouth odors. Certain foods like onions, garlic, spices, fish, some cheeses, and acidic drinks like coffee can leave a lingering odor in your mouth.

In most cases, the stench goes away after a short period of time but sometimes food particles can get stuck in your teeth. When this happens, the growth of bacteria is triggered which leads to a buildup of plaque, a contributor to bad breath.

  • Tobacco

Another fairly obvious contributor to bad breath is tobacco. Smoking and chewing tobacco produce chemicals that linger in your mouth. These habits also put you at a higher risk for gum disease and oral cancer, which have side effects that produce bad breath.

  • Poor dental hygiene

When you don’t brush or floss your teeth regularly, food particles that have attached to your teeth stay there, causing a buildup of bacteria and plaque. The rotting food debris causes a stench all its own, but a lack of proper hygiene over time can lead to gum disease. If gum disease has taken over your mouth, chronic bad breath is just one of the negative symptoms you’ll be dealing with.

  • Health conditions

Certain health problems like sinus infections, pneumonia, the common cold, the flu, tonsil stones, bronchitis, acid reflux, digestion problems, and more are associated with bad breath.

  • Dry mouth

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is another possible cause of bad breath. Saliva helps keep your mouth moist while cleansing the mouth. If you’re not producing enough saliva, bacteria can build up, resulting in bad breath.

Dry mouth is commonly caused by salivary gland problems, medications, or mouth breathing.

  • Allergies

Some medication used to treat allergies can cause bad breath. Additionally, post-nasal drip is an allergy symptom that can lead to stinky breath. And because, as we mentioned before, mouth breathing can contribute to bad breath, congestion that makes it hard to breathe through the nose also contributes to bad breath.

  • Dentures or braces

Dentures and braces make it easier for food particles to become trapped, leading to a buildup of odor-causing bacteria. Additionally, loose or ill-fitting dentures can cause sores or infections in your mouth, leading to bad breath.

  • “Morning breath”

Having bad breath when you wake up in the morning is incredibly common because the production of saliva nearly stops while you sleep. This creates an opportunity for odor-causing bacteria to grow.

  • Other

Additional possible causes of bad breath include hormone changes related to pregnancy, dehydration, excessive alcohol consumption, and large doses of vitamin supplements.

Dental Treatments For Fresher Breath

For the fresher breath you want and need, call the office of Dr. James Ross. Here in Novi, MI, we can get to the root of the problem and provide whatever treatment is necessary to get rid of your bad breath once and for all.

To schedule an appointment, call Dr. James C Ross Family, Cosmetic, & Laser Dentistry at 248-697-2487. You can also contact us online to request an appointment and we will get back to you as soon as possible.