oral hygiene

Aah. Morning breath. It’s the bane of everyone's existence as they roll over to wish their partners a “Good Morning.”

So, let’s explore what it is, what causes it, and how we can treat it.

What is Morning Breath?

It’s simply bad breath that you have when you wake in the morning. It may be bad, but not to the halitosis level.

Halitosis is chronic bad breath that can’t be taken care of by a handful of breath mints or a few minutes of gargling with mouthwash. It hangs out for an extended period of time, and may be a symptom of a larger problem.

Morning breath is not halitosis.

What Causes Morning Breath?

Morning breath is the result of the natural biome of our mouths (bacteria) and our lifestyle.

Everyone’s mouth contains a unique combination of good and bad bacteria. These bacteria live in our mouths. That means they’re born, eat, produce waste, reproduce, and die in our mouths. And they produce smells throughout their lifecycles. Yes. It’s kind of gross to think about, but we couldn’t really live without them.

Lifestyle factors that contribute to morning breath include:

• Food. Leftover particles in your mouth are contributors. Certain types of food can cause bad breath. For example, garlic, onions, and spices enter your bloodstream once they’ve been digested. Then they’re carried to your lungs where they can have an adverse effect on breath, especially if you eat right before bedtime. However, not flossing before bed can also leave food particles in our mouths while we sleep. Flossing cleans 40 percent of tooth surfaces your brush cant’ reach. So, if you’re only brushing before bed, you’re only cleaning 60 percent of your teeth.
• Dry Mouth. Think of saliva (spit) as your mouth’s natural cleanser. It helps break down bacteria and wash away remaining food particles after you eat. When you have dry mouth, your saliva production is decreased. Saliva production naturally decreases as we sleep. Combine this with leftover food particles and you have a recipe for morning breath.
• Poor Oral Care. Proper brushing and flossing removes food particles from the spaces between your teeth. If you don’t do those, the particles remain, putting you at risk for regular bouts of morning breath (as well as gum disease).
• Tobacco. Smoker’s breath is a very real side effect of tobacco use. Cigarettes, in particular, leave smoke particles in your throat and lungs. Chemicals in tobacco can also linger in the mouth for hours after use. Tobacco use also makes people more prone to gum disease which can also cause bad breath.
• Medications. Certain medications may cause dry mouth. Others are broken down by the body, and may release foul chemicals onto your breath.
• Mouth Breathing. Breathing through your mouth contributes to dry mouth. But, how do you know if you’re mouth breathing while you sleep? Odds are if you mouth breathe during the day, you probably mouth breathe when you sleep. Also, waking up with a dry mouth or irritated throat are also indicators of mouth breathing.

Is Morning Breath Normal?

Yes. Everyone gets it from time to time.

How Do You Treat Morning Breath?

The reality is there’s only so much you can do. Morning breath is normal. So, you may not be able to completely prevent it from making an appearance.

Here are some things to try that can help reduce its effects and take care of it when it does appear:

• Brush for 2 Minutes. Do it before bed and as soon as you wake up. This will eliminate any left-behind particles contributing to bad breath.
• Floss before Bed. Flossing cleans the 40 percent of tooth surfaces your brush can’t reach. Flossing before bed helps remove plaque and food particles your teeth accumulate during the day.
• Rinse with Mouthwash. If you want to eat breakfast before brushing, give your mouth a quick rinse. This will freshen your mouth as well as fight plaque.
• Chew Sugar-free Gum. Keep a mint-flavored pack in your nightstand for whenever your breath needs a quick refresher. Chewing helps generate necessary saliva and the mint provides a pleasant aftertaste.
• Go Green. Chomp some fresh parsley, basil, mint, or cilantro for their chlorophyll that neutralizes odors. You can also try cloves, fennel seeds, or anise for their antiseptic qualities.
• Drink Water. Keep a water bottle next to your bad for small swigs if your mouth gets dry or you get thirsty in the middle of the night.

And keep up those regular dental visits. Your dentist can offer up suggestions for any bad morning breath issues. They can also check to see if the bad breath you’re experiencing is normal or a symptom of a bigger issue.

Article by Bryana Allen, Delta Dental of Washington