Why Do We Have Stinky Morning Breath?

Why Do We Have Morning Breath? Morning breath is a familiar occurrence. When you wake up in the morning, you're all too aware of the halitosis that plagues most people when they first get out of bed. Though common, it can be embarrassing, especially when we have an overnight guest for the first time. But even if you've been married for decades, you probably still find yourself covering your mouth to save your partner from smelling your breath.

Stinky Breath In The Morning

In fact, everybody will experience morning breath to some degree. This is because your mouth dries out during sleep creating the perfect environment for odor-producing bacteria to thrive. As the normal flow of saliva decreases during sleep and bacteria grows, morning breath results. People who breathe through their mouths are more prone to morning breath, as well as snorers because your mouth is more likely to dry out in these cases.

Morning breath is also exacerbated by other issues. For example, some medications cause dry mouth, especially overnight which worsens the severity of morning halitosis. Older people often find their breath worsens over time, most probably because they are likely on more medications than younger individuals. Smokers also suffer more severe morning breath because smoking causes saliva to dry out while raising the temperature in your mouth. Both these conditions make for a perfect breeding ground for halitosis-causing bad breath. Finally, allergies are also often associated with morning breath. Allergy sufferers often have a mucous drip down the back of their throat, and this becomes an excellent food source for bacteria. Moreover, if this post-nasal drip is infected, even more odor-causing bacteria grow in your mouth.

Why Always Have Stinky Breath?

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent and treat halitosis and morning breath. More than 65% of North Americans suffer from some kind of halitosis, but proper dental hygiene can make a significant difference when it comes to bad breath. Regular brushing prevents odor-causing bacteria from building up between your teeth, along your gum line, and on your tongue. You should aim to brush at least twice a day for 2 minutes, and always brush before bed. After you brush, do not eat or drink anything. Also, make sure to brush your tongue as well as your teeth as up to 85% of bad breath bacteria forms on the tongue.

In addition to brushing, it is important to floss regularly. In order to remove food particles from between your teeth and under your gum line, flossing is highly important. Many dentists also recommend rinsing with an anti-bacterial mouthwash to kill the germs that cause bad breath. Rinsing for 30 seconds helps to kill bacteria and prevent bad breath.

So remember, even though morning breath is a common occurrence, there are steps you can take to prevent or treat the problem. Never underestimate the importance of proper oral hygiene.

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