What's the Relationship Between Dry Mouth And Bad Breath?

Dry mouth is an unfortunate occurrence that can cause bad breath. In turn, this may cause anxiety or low-self esteem in some individuals due to their bad breath. Dry mouth typically occurs when the saliva production has slowed down and is not producing enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. The most common cause of dry mouth is dehydration. However, there are many other factors that may be causing your dry mouth which are important to look out for. Today, we’re going to talk about the causes of dry mouth and how you might be able to avoid them. If you are experiencing symptoms of a dry mouth continuously, you may want to visit a dentist or doctor.

Primary Causes of Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a common dental issue, that if not treated, can cause long term bad breath. It can be caused by a number of factors including the following:

• Dehydration
• Poor dental hygiene
• Medications
• Radiation therapy
• Diabetes
• Mouth breathing
• Sleep apnea
• Women who are pregnant or nursing
• Individuals who suffer from eating disorders
• Untreated dental issues like cavities
• Consistent tobacco use

Unfortunately, your dry mouth may be caused by one or more of these factors. With these conditions, your teeth and mouth will allow bacteria to build up and cause bad breath. If normal saliva levels were intact, the saliva would naturally flush out the bacteria resulting in normal breath.

Stop Bad Breath

Bad breath can be lessened by staying hydrated, drinking more water, chewing sugar-free gum, consuming foods high in antioxidants, and rinsing with a hydrating mouthwash. Also, if you’re a smoker, a surefire way to reduce your bad breath and prevent dry mouth is to quit.

Bad Breath Without Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is just one cause of bad breath. If you still notice you have bad breath without the symptoms of dry mouth, there may be more to the picture. Consider what your oral hygiene practices look like. Do you floss every day? Do you brush twice a day? Perhaps it’s a simple change like adjusting the type of toothpaste, mouthwash, or dental gel you’re using to stimulate your mouth. If you find that you aren’t brushing or flossing as often as you should, it could also be an issue of food leaving odors like garlic or onions or in some circumstances an oral infection or another mouth, nose, or throat condition.