Does your spouse avoid kissing you in the morning? About 95 percent of people experience bad morning breath from time to time. Before Dr. Greenfield can treat your bad breath, take this self-assessment to determine what’s causing your morning breath.
- Does your mouth feel dry? Your salivary glands slow down and produce less saliva while you sleep. This means that there is no moisture to wash away oral bacteria. Oral bacteria don’t sleep when you do, so they thrive in the dry environment all night long, contributing to a bad odor when you wake up. Your mouth will naturally dry out as you sleep, but keep a glass of water next to your bed to stay hydrated during the night.
- Do you practice healthy hygiene? Brushing and flossing your teeth before you go to bed will help remove bacteria and food particles that could cause a stink when you wake up. By clearing out debris, you are also giving your oral bacteria less to feed on during the night—which will also help reduce your risk of decay. In addition, if you use mouthwash, make sure it has little to no alcohol content because alcohol further dries out your mouth. Additionally, don’t eat less than three hours before bedtime so you have enough time for food particles and bacteria to dissolve.
- Do you sleep with your mouth open? Breathing through your mouth and snoring allows a constant flow of air to dry out your palate, tongue, and throat. Try using a humidifier to clear your nasal passages or change your sleep position so you can breathe through your nose instead.
- Do you constantly have bad breath? Morning bad breath is normal, but constant halitosis is not. If you experience bad breath during the day, visit Dr. Greenfield to treat your problem.
Dr. Greenfield can determine what’s causing your bad breath and develop the best treatment plan for your situation. Contact Lake Orion Family Dentistry in Lake Orion, Michigan at (248) 693-6213 to request an appointment. We welcome patients from Lake Orion, Oxford, Rochester Hills, Clarkston, and surrounding communities.
