Everyone suffers from bad breath occasionally, especially in the morning or after a meal. However, in certain cases, bad breath may be caused by a dry throat or mouth. If this is the case, it's probably easy to alleviate the problem.
Other Causes
Bad breath can originate from many causes, including eating certain foods. After the food is digested, the oils are absorbed into the bloodstream and carried to the lungs, where they are emitted through your breath. If you do not brush your teeth regularly, food can get stuck in your teeth. The food particles will then collect bacteria and release chemical-containing foul odors. Other causes of bad breath include disease, mouth and throat conditions, as well as use of tobacco products.
Dry Throat and Mouth
Bad breath can also result from a dry throat or mouth. Saliva works as a natural cleanser in the mouth. Therefore, having a dry mouth or throat can contribute to bad breath. Usually, this condition occurs during the night, because we produce less saliva while we sleep. However, it can continue during the day, especially if you are taking certain medications.
Diagnosis
It is often difficult to assess your own breath. You may believe you have bad breath when you actually do not and vice versa. Therefore, you should try asking a friend whenever you are not sure. If you have bad breath, you should first revise your oral hygiene habits to make sure your are brushing and flossing regularly. If that does not fix the problem, consult your dentist, who can prescribe a treatment plan.
Treatment
If a dry throat is causing your bad breath, there are certain treatments available. The key is to keep your mouth and throat moist and promote saliva production. Be sure to drink plenty of water. Water can help keep your mouth moist, which can help prevent bad breath. Try to drink plenty of water each day. However, try to limit your intake of coffee, soft drinks and alcohol, which can dry up your mouth. Chewing sugarless gum and sucking candies can also be helpful, as this stimulates saliva production.
If these treatment options do not work, your dentist can prescribe medication that stimulates the saliva production.
Other Treatment
Regardless of the cause, certain treatments that can help any case of bad breath. The best treatment is to make sure you clean your mouth regularly. This includes brushing your teeth and tongue, flossing, and cleaning your dentures if you have them.
You should brush your teeth at least twice a day with antibacterial toothpaste. If bad breath is persistent, try brushing after each meal to eliminate food odors. You should also brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper, as bacteria can settle on the tongue. Flossing at least once a day is important in order to remove food and plaque found between teeth, which can contribute to bad breath.
