Morning breath: Causes and Treatments

Waking up with a bad breath in the morning definitely isn’t the best way to start a day. It is a very common condition experienced by most people at some point in their lives.

Fortunately, bad breath can be treated but in order to do so it is important to know the most common causes for this condition. There are several different causes of morning breath, but the two biggest causes are dry mouth and bad dental hygiene.

Dry mouth

If you are careful with your oral hygiene, dry mouth is probably the most likely cause of bad morning breath. Saliva is responsible for removing the bacteria that are the main cause of bad breath. While we sleep, saliva production is decreased. There are some medications that cause dry mouth which makes morning breath even worse.

Bad oral hygiene

Another common cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene. Our mouths are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. If you don’t brush or floss your teeth effectively, food particles can get stuck in crevices on the surface on the tongue, between the teeth, or along our gum tissue. The bacteria in your mouth will break down those food particles, which results in bad morning breath.

Eating certain kinds of food

The food you eat during the day can effect your morning breath. Eating strong-smelling foods in the evening like garlic can cause morning breath the next day, even if you brush your teeth well.

Tobacco

Tobacco use is also directly linked to both morning breath or halitosis. It can dry out your mouth and make you more prone to gum disease. The smoke smell can also influence bad morning breath.

GERD

People with gastrointestinal reflux (GERD), also known as acid reflux, may experience bad breath due to stomach acid washing back up in their esophagus when they sleep at night.

How to treat morning breath?

In many cases, morning breath can be treated at home with a combination of better oral care and lifestyle changes. Maintaining your oral hygiene is both the best quick fix and long-term solution for bad breath of any kind. Brush your teeth immediately before you go to bed at night, and don’t eat or drink anything afterward. Doing so can introduce food particles that will be broken down over night. Floss your teeth, scrape your tongue with a toothbrush or a tongue cleaner and use an antiseptic mouthwash. If you wear a retainer, clean it daily. Brush your teeth as soon as you’re awake to eliminate any remaining morning breath.

Source: healthline.com