It’s morning, and it’s time to start the day. While you stretch and yawn after a good night’s sleep, you’re met by your spouse, who cringes and quickly covers their nose. This reaction may seem all too familiar if you suffer from morning breath. No one wants to be met with a foul odor first thing in the morning, but how can you avoid it, and what can you do to address it? Read on to find out why good oral hygiene is key.
How Common is Morning Breath?
Clinically known as halitosis, morning breath is believed to affect nearly half of all adults at some point in their life. Although it can be embarrassing, you’re not alone.
What Causes Morning Breath?
When an odorous stench forms overnight, you may wonder why it happens. Some of the most common culprits include:
- Dry Mouth: If you breathe through your mouth while asleep, you will likely develop dry mouth, which occurs when there is a lack of saliva production. This can cause bacteria to build up. Since saliva is not readily available to flush out odorous particles, the result is an unpleasant smell in the morning.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: If you do not regularly brush and floss your teeth at night, food can remain stuck between teeth, and plaque can continue to build up on your teeth. This accumulation, combined with a dry mouth, can create foul odors that seep out when you wake up.
- Smoking: Whether it’s cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or vape pens that you use, smoking can cause morning breath as well as an increased risk of gum disease because of how it dries out your mouth.
- Foods: Odorous foods like garlic or onions that are left unattended before bedtime can continue to generate a strong smell throughout the night, creating a shocking aroma in the morning.
How Can You Address Morning Breath?
The simplest way to address morning breath is through good at-home oral hygiene. This means you will need to:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time.
- Use fluoride toothpaste to lower the risk of cavities and strengthen tooth enamel.
- Floss at least once before going to bed to remove bacteria and food particles from between your teeth. If traditional wax floss is difficult to use, try a water irrigator or floss pickers.
- Rinse with an antimicrobial, ADA-approved mouthwash. This flushes out harmful bacteria that remain after brushing and flossing.
If you wear removable dentures, clear aligners, or a retainer, make sure to thoroughly clean your prosthetics or orthodontic device so that no odorous particles remain.
You can also seek out cessation resources to stop smoking, chew sugar-free gum throughout the day to keep saliva flowing, drink lots of water to avoid dry mouth, and limit your consumption of strong-smelling foods before bedtime.
Morning breath is not pleasant for anyone to wake up to; however, there are steps you can take to protect your oral health, get rid of the smell, and make the start of the day more enjoyable for everyone in your home.
About the Practice
Brown, Reynolds, Snow, and LeNoir Dentistry consists of five compassionate dental professionals who deliver award-winning care with a personalized and patient-focused approach. Each dentist brings years of proven experience to ensure each individual receives the tailor-made treatment they deserve and need. While we offer many unique services to help repair and restore smiles, we also emphasize the importance of preventive care. If you are struggling with morning breath and want to know what you can do to alleviate this problem, contact us via the website or by calling (804) 348-1110.