Waking up with morning breath isn’t a fun way to start your day. But it’s extremely common, and most people experience it at some point. Fortunately, it can be treated like all other causes of halitosis (bad breath).
What causes morning breath?
There are a number of different causes of morning breath, but the two biggest causes are dry mouth and bad oral hygiene.
1. Dry mouth
If you have good oral hygiene, dry mouth is most likely to blame. Saliva is responsible for removing the bacteria that can cause bad breath. When we sleep, saliva production decreases significantly. Certain medications can cause dry mouth, making morning breath even worse.
2. GERD
People with gastrointestinal reflux (GERD) — also known as acid reflux — may experience bad breath due to stomach acid washing back up in their esophagus when they sleep at night.
3. Eating certain foods
What you put into your body can result in morning breath. Eating strong-smelling foods in the evening like garlic or raw onions can cause morning breath the next day, even if you brush your teeth well.
4. Poor oral hygiene
Poor oral hygiene is another common cause. Our mouths are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. If you’re not brushing or flossing effectively, food particles can get stuck in crevices on the surface on the tongue, between the teeth, or along our gum tissue.
The bacteria in your mouth will break down those food particles, which releases the lovely bad breath come morning time.
Morning breath can be a symptom of periodontal disease, especially if poor oral hygiene goes unchecked. Periodontal disease affects the gums, causing infections in pockets beneath the teeth that can cause strong, persistent halitosis. Periodontal disease —which starts as gingivitis — will need to be treated by your dentist.
5. Tobacco
Tobacco use — particularly smoking — is also directly linked to both morning breath and general halitosis. It can dry out your mouth and make you more prone to gum disease. Add the smoke smell on top, and it can be a recipe for potent breath.
Do You Have Morning Breath?
The first step in preventing morning breath is to determine if you have it. Here are two quick methods that’ll let you know if you have bad breath:
1. Smell: Lick your clean wrist, let it air dry fit a few seconds and take a whiff? Do you smell an odor? If you answered yes, then you’re probably suffering from bad breath.
2. Visual: Examine your tongue. Is it pink or does it have a white film? Pink tongues signal fresh breath, while a white film conveys bad breath.
Natural Remedies to get rid of Bad Breath at Home
1. Stay hydrated: Water also helps flush out bacteria and debris. Choose water over coffee and sugary drinks that promote bacteria growth.
2. Eat breakfast: Breakfast promotes important saliva production first thing in the morning.
3. Oil pulling: This ancient Ayurvedic technique of swishing oil (e.g. coconut, sesame or sunflower) in your mouth (between 10 to 30 minutes) can help prevent and stop bad breath. This technique is believed to “pull” toxins out of the mouth and body. You can also include essential oils to increase the germ-fighting properties of this method.
4. Eat the rainbow: Fruits and veggies are your best allies in battling bad breath. Choose foods rich in: vitamin C (e.g. citrus, cherries, berries), vitamin A (e.g. sweet potatoes and carrots), vitamin E (e.g. leafy greens) and zinc (e.g. asparagus and pumpkin).
5. Spice up your life: Incorporating spices like fennel seeds, cardamom, anise, cinnamon and coriander can spice up any dish and stave off bad breath.
6. Minty fresh: You can keep your mouth in mint condition by including potent herbs like spearmint, peppermint, sage and tea tree in your daily regimen.
Oral health is an indicator of overall health. While these natural remedies could help you eliminate bad breath, they are also key in maintaining overall health. Don’t forget to brush and floss those pearly whites daily.
Sources: healthline.com
