Causes and treatment methods of morning breath

Most people suffer from unpleasant and smelly breath in the morning and are always seeking for ways to resolve this embarrassing problem. There are various reasons for morning breath. This article aims to describe the main causes and treatment methods of morning breath.

Causes of morning breath

Secretion of saliva is reduced during sleep resulting in dryness of the oral cavity. Dry mouth is the main cause of morning breath. One of the functions of saliva is to kill the oral bacteria. Reduced secretion of saliva results in easy proliferation of the bacteria and hence in bad breath.

In addition, an unhealthy diet can interfere with the production of salivary enzymes and cause morning breath. An unhealthy lifestyle, such as smoking or alcohol consumption, can also result in morning breath. Remaining of food debris between the teeth is another factor involved in bad breath.

Bad breath may also arise from gastrointestinal disorders such as gastric reflux, mainly due to enzymes in stomach acid. In addition, some oral drugs have a significant effect in the development of bad breath.

Eliminate bad breath in the morning

Different methods can be used for eliminating morning breath, some of which are described below.

Brushing

Brushing is the best way to get rid of morning breath. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, before going to bed and after waking up. After applying the right amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush, gently brush all the teeth. Both sides of the front and back teeth as well as between the teeth should be brushed well to wash away food debris. In addition, thoroughly wash your tongue with the tongue part of your toothbrush. Remember that brushing the teeth immediately after eating can damage them, so brush the teeth a while after eating.

Flossing

Flossing can remove food debris remained after brushing. Floss your teeth after each brushing.

Mouthwashing

There are different types of mouthwashes; some contain alcohol and can be used several times during the day and some are prescribed for therapeutic indications and are used at regular intervals. The latter contains fluoride which increases the teeth strength. In addition, mouthwashes contain antibacterial substances that prevent the growth and proliferation of bad breath bacteria.

Cause bad breath in the morning and treatment FAQ

1-Can home remedies eliminate bad breath?

Some bad breath eliminating home remedies can be effective in some cases. For example, the solution of apple cider vinegar and water can be used as a mouthwash which can eliminate morning breath due to its antibacterial properties.

2-Can chewing gum help eliminate morning breath?

Chewing gum at night or during sleep can be harmful for the mouth and digestion; however, chewing sugar-free gum during the day can improve the salivary glands function and prevent dryness and bad breath.

3-How to recognize the cause of bad breath?

Recognizing the cause of bad breath is the most important step in its elimination, which can be best done by a dentist. In most cases, bad breath is related to oral problems that can be treated by a dentist. In some cases, bad breath may be due to sinus or gastrointestinal problems, so you should visit otolaryngologist and gastroenterologist.

4- What to do if morning breath is due to digestive problems?

Bad breath due to gastroesophageal reflux and other gastrointestinal diseases can often be easily treated with medication. These conditions can be treated by a gastroenterologist.