A lot of people are self-conscious about how their breath smells. Most of the time, people don’t get close enough to notice, but then the ones who do get close enough are usually the people we care about the most. There are also times when your breath can smell very bad and cross a room. However, if this happens you shouldn’t just cover it up with mouthwash or breath spray. While this can help in the short term, you’ll be better off if you can identify why your breath smells bad and what you can do about it.

Food

Certain kinds of food can affect your breath directly. Scent chemicals found in things like garlic and onions can enter your bloodstream directly, and from there they can enter your lungs. At that point, they leave with the air you breathe out, and other people can end up smelling it. Fortunately, this effect doesn’t last very long, so you can cover it with breath spray until you stop smelling like garlic.

Bacteria

The human mouth is not a very clean place. It’s always wet, making it a good breeding ground for bacteria, especially since food particles constantly get trapped in and between your teeth. The bacteria in your mouth use this food for fuel and dissolve the enamel of your teeth, and if you don’t take care of your teeth by brushing and flossing they can build up and create cavities.

Cavities are full of bacteria, and so are gums affected by gingivitis and periodontitis. This bacteria can create a bad smell, and covering it up isn’t going to change the problem. Instead, you need to brush and floss your teeth properly every day, and you should see a dentist or a periodontist on Long Island at least twice per year to scrape off the tartar buildup, remove any cavities, and perform more serious services like replacing teeth with dental implants when needed.

Dry Mouth

Despite the name, a dry mouth isn’t completely dry: it still has plenty of moisture for bacteria to grow, but it doesn’t have enough saliva to wash the bacteria away or to avoid creating sores. Dry mouth contributes to morning breath, but aside from that, it’s not a natural condition. However, certain diseases and medications can cause it. If dry mouth is a problem, you should combat it with a lubricating mouthwash. A periodontist on Long Island can help you find a good brand.

Bad breath can be an annoyance, or it can be a sign of something you shouldn’t ignore. If you keep getting bad breath or it never seems to go away, you should check with a dentist or a periodontist on Long Island to figure out what you should do about it.