Does Flossing Help With Bad Breath?

Bad breath is also known as halitosis. It is a significant issue that affects millions of people all over the world. This condition triggers negative reactions during conversations. People tend to avoid individuals with bad breath. This can result in low self-esteem and anxiety attacks.

This article explores the causes of bad breath and how you can use flossing to prevent it.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Bad breath is linked to several factors. Highlighted below are the causes of bad breath;

Food

Bad breath can be caused by foods like onions, garlic, and spices. This is because the breakdown of these edibles increases oral bacterial action. And this results in a foul odor. Upon digestion, the final product of these foods is absorbed into the circulatory system. And they ultimately find their way to the respiratory system, affecting breath.

Tobacco products

Tobacco and other smoke-producing products can affect the breath. Smoking causes an unpleasant mouth odor. Regular smokers and tobacco users are also more susceptible to gum diseases. And this condition can also lead to bad breath.

Poor dental hygiene

This is another common cause of bad breath. Failure to brush and floss daily is bad for oral health. It encourages the proliferation of bacteria in the mouth. The tongue can also trap odor-producing bacteria. Poor dental hygiene creates a hotbed of bacteria and food debris, leading to bad breath.

Dry mouth

The presence of saliva helps to remove particles that cause foul odors. Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can contribute to bad breath. This is because this condition causes a decrease in saliva production. Chronic dry mouth can arise due to issues with the salivary glands or diseases.

Medications

Certain medications can lead to dry mouth, which contributes to bad breath. Examples of these drugs are; antidepressants, anticholinergics, and antihistamines. Their breakdown releases chemicals that inhibit saliva production, resulting in bad breath.

Mouth Infections

Surgical wounds can also result in bad breath after oral surgery. Injuries from tooth removal, tooth decay, gum disease, or mouth sores can cause this condition.

Nose and throat conditions

Bad breath can also result from nose and throat infections. Tonsil stones are covered by bacteria and often result in a foul odor. Infections such as sinusitis, sore throat, and tonsillitis can also cause bad breath.

Diseases

Diseases that affect the kidney, liver, and gastrointestinal tract can cause bad breath. These conditions produce specific breath odors due to the chemicals they produce.

The best way to deal with bad breath is by improving oral hygiene. Brushing alone cannot get rid of bad breath. Flossing will help make your breath smell better. Below are the positive effects of flossing to eliminate bad breath;

Flossing helps to remove plaque buildup between the teeth.
It reduces the bacteria buildup in the gums.
Regular flossing removes food debris between the teeth and gums.
It stimulates blood flow to the gums.

Tips to Prevent Bad Breath

Healthy oral hygiene involves brushing twice a day. Regular flossing also prevents bad breath. Water flossing removes plaque buildup in the teeth. It also removes food debris and stimulates the gum. Here are tips that can help you to maintain good oral hygiene;